90 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



for violin bows. It is reported as being used in BraziJ for furniture, 

 wheel-spokes, beams for civU construction, and flooring decks. It is 

 apparently obtainable in long lengths and large sizes. 



The pores are numerous and small, and are mostly filled with a gummy 

 substance. The medullary rays are strongly defined, parallel but irregular, 

 and joined at right angles by finer white lines, forming a spider's web 

 appearance. The meduUary rays show as in beech, but rather finer. 



Guizo. Weight, 50 lbs. Philippine Islands. 



This timber has not been imported into the United Kingdom, and 

 is unknown in ordinary commerce. From the limited opportunities 

 available for judgement and reference, it would appear from the specimens 

 sent lately by Mr. A. T. GiUespie, of Manila, to be in all respects similar 

 to the sal {Shorea robusta) of India, and to prove as satisfactory and 

 durable in use. The extreme weight of these timbers, which makes 

 their cost when imported so high, will miUtate against the use of the 

 wood, but if this difi&culty is overcome it should be in great demand 

 for sleepers and important heavy constructional work where hardness, 

 heaviness, and durability are necessary. 



For description see Sal. 



Gum, Blue. Eucalyptus Globulus, Labillardiere. Weight, 43-54 lbs. 

 (Stone). 69 lbs. (Post Office Compt.) Tasmania, Austraha, India. 



This tree, attaining the height of from 200 to 300 feet, with a diameter 

 of 6 to 25 feet, is named blue gum from the colour of the young growth, 

 which is of a glaucous tint. It has been planted in the Nilgiris in 

 India, where it has grown rapidly, producing trees in thirty years 

 with an average height of 143 feet and an average girth of 3 feet 

 II inches, but so far has had the reputation of being but an indifferent 

 timber tree, owing to the tendency of the wood to warp and spUt. It has 

 been found to be seiviceable and fairly durable, fence-posts having been 

 in the ground for fifteen years. It has been planted in South America, 

 where it has been used for sleepers, but has not given much satisfaction. 

 The timber is of a pale straw colour, hard, heavy, moderately strong and 

 tough, and has a twisted or curled grain. In seasoning deep shakes occur 

 from the surface, and it shrinks and warps considerably. " It is specially 

 esteemed for piles, owing to the large size that it attains and the com- 

 parative immunity it enjoys from the attacks of the teredo " (Carmichael 

 Lyne, Tasmanian Timbers). This authority also states that the oldest 

 wharf now in use was erected in 1868, and stood till 1902 without renewal, 

 and mentions a sample of bridge-decking which was fifty years under 

 foot traffic and is still hard and sound, while yet another timber formed 

 part of the original Bridgwater Ferry punt built in 1818. The punt had 



