130 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



decorative work on account of its colour and the variety of the grain. 

 The logs, which are of solid, firm growth, are generally free from cross- 

 breaks, and yield a large percentage of clean, sound wood of a reliable 

 character. There is little doubt that this timber would yield as 

 good material for aeroplane propellers as anything that could be 

 obtained. Indeed, African mahogany of Benin quality was found to 

 have been used in the propeller-blades of the Zeppelins brought down 

 in England during the war (1916). 



The pores are rather small but exceedingly numerous, and many are 

 plugged. The numerous pronounced medullary rays are wavy and form 

 a pretty ripple marking on the radial section. Rather indistinct con- 

 centric lines cross the rays at irregular intervals. 



Lagos. Weight, 31 lbs. 15 oz. — The timber shipped from this port 

 held the first place for quality for a long time. Since 1892 the ship- 

 ments have contained a large proportion of finely figured timber of a 

 beautiful, bright clean quaUty, a standard which has not been main- 

 tained in the later deliveries. The former kinds are now more rarely 

 seen, and although there is still a certain quantity of good wood being 

 imported, it is doubtful whether the supplies now occupy even a second 

 place in the shipments from the West Coast of Africa. The logs are 

 well squared and manufactured, but a large proportion now contain 

 soft hearts, which have a greater prevalence of cross-breaks : the logs 

 have weathered badly and display side-shakes and splits. This may 

 be due to the timber being felled and shipped at the wrong season, as I 

 am informed that felling proceeds throughout the year. In colour and 

 quaHty it is very similar to the Honduras wood, and it is often difficult, 

 if not impossible, to distinguish between them. A little more care would 

 be required in selecting this timber for aircraft propellers than would be 

 the case with the Benin wood. 



The medullary rays are even more pronounced than in Benin 

 mahogany, and the pores are slightly larger and more open ; in all 

 other respects it is similar. 



Grand Bassam. Weight, 31 lbs. 15 oz.— Shipments from this port 

 have greatly increased during the last few years, and the quality has 

 much improved. The average sizes are exceptionally large and long, 

 ranging up to 30 feet in length, and often 4 feet square, while even 

 larger sizes are sometimes obtained. A large proportion of the trees 

 yield richly figured logs, and many fine specimens have been seen of 

 recent years. Amongst these was a tree shipped to Mr. J. J. Richardson, 

 of which three pieces were sold in Liverpool and one in London : these 

 four realised the record price of £4228. The butt cut of this tree 

 contained about 5000 feet of measure, that is, 417 cubic feet, and weighed 



