MO THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



bands of smaller pores which make a wavy pattern somewhat as in ehn. 

 The medullary rays are strongly marked and are parallel ; they show 

 on the radial grain as in maple. 



Jameson River. Weight, 40 lbs. 12 oz.^ — Most of the timber shipped 

 from this source is of a lighter colour and closer grain than any of the 

 other kinds. A larger proportion of the wood is of a very pronounced 

 cedar character and some is scented. The logs are sound, and the wood 

 is of a good, firm, useful texture. 



Gaboon. Boswellia Klaineana. Weight, 25 lbs. — ^This extremely 

 useful wood deserves a name of its own, since it certainly fiUs a place of 

 importance which justifies a title which would give it individuality, 

 though it should not be called mahogany. This fact is recognised on the 

 Continent, where it is known by the name of Okume. Although used 

 for many of the purposes for which mahogany is required, it is certainly 

 not considered a mahogany. 



Pale in colour, soft and light in weight, and yet strong, it meets the 

 special requirements of many classes of work, and at the price at which 

 it has been obtainable for a long period it probably provides the best 

 value for money of any known timber. By some authorities it has been 

 claimed that it is a cedar, but there is no evidence to support this 

 assumption, and the scent of cedar is entirely absent. For the 

 making of cigar-boxes, however, so long as cigar manufacturers paste 

 nearly, if not actually the whole of their boxes over with paper 

 labels, this wood should prove equally suitable. It is largely used in 

 automobile carriage construction both in England and abroad, and also 

 for ship's fittings, and on the Clyde and elsewhere it has superseded pine 

 for this purpose. Its appearance is much improved by either a light 

 carriage varnish or polish, without the use of stain ; french polish or 

 stain generally causes a muddy, and therefore an unsatisfactory, surface. 

 One of the handsomest show-windows in a large store in New York is 

 furnished with finely figured wood of this species, which, besides looking 

 very bright and showy, makes an excellent background for the display of 

 wares of all sorts. It needs a good finish, when it will present a very 

 fine appearance. Gaboon has been tried for the purpose of making 

 aeroplane propellers, but has been found to be entirely unsuitable. 



The transverse grain shows that it has great similarity to Honduras 

 mahogany, although the marked appearance of the annual layers is 

 absent ; the pores are irregular, as in Honduras ; the medullary rays 

 are strongly marked, and are parallel but not equidistant. 



Cape Lopez. Weight, 38 lbs. 9 oz.— Logs from this port consist of 

 excellent wood which is generally mild in quaUty and straight in grain ; 



