126 



THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



Khaya and Entandrophragma.^ To distinguish between these genera 

 and Swidenia requires the trained eye and experience of a botanist ; 

 indeed so close is the resemblance that the botanist first describing an 

 African species of the Entandrophragma named it Swietenia angolense. 



The mahoganies of America differ among themselves, and from the 

 African mahoganies, yet certain American and African kinds agree so 

 closely that even experienced practical men often find it difficult, if not 

 unpossible, to distinguish between them. As a matter of fact, however, 

 it is possible for the expert, especially when aided by the lens, to recognise 

 the American or African source of any sample. So far, then, the woods 

 of both continents are entitled to the name mahogany. 



Pitoio^Taph by permissii^n 0/ Messrs E. Chaloner & Co. Lh'crpool. 



African Mahogany. Two Fine Figured Logs. 



Other genera of the same family, Meliaceae, pro\'ide woods more or 

 less closely agreeing with mahogany, for instance : Carapa in Africa and 

 America, Disoxylunt fraserianitm, the Australian mahogany or pencil 

 cedar, Soymida fcbrifuga, the red-wood or mahogany of India. Other 

 members of the Meliaceae supply so-called mahoganies or cedar-wood : 

 such are species of Gttarea or Pscndocedrela in Africa (for instance, Sapeh 

 mahogany is truly a scented cedar-wood derived from a Psetidoccdrda).'^ 

 The meliaceous Cedrela is the source of cedar-woods in tropical America 

 and Asia, and in Australia. Farther removed from mahoganj' are still 



' According to H. N. Thompson. 



