152 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



chalky substance in the pores. It has an exceedingly hard yet smooth 

 surface, with a very bright transparent sheen, which gives a beautiful 

 effect whether polished solely by hand, as it was originally, or by the 

 method adopted later of french polishing. Although as in other cases 

 the general shipments consist of plain wood, yet some trees provide the 

 most beautiful figure which can be seen in any kind, and undoubtedly 

 places the figured wood of Spanish mahogany in the highest category. 



The pores are very irregular in size and position, while the white 

 chalky substance with which they are plugged is peculiarly characteristic 

 of the wood. The medullary rays are rather coarse ; they are parallel 

 and uneven, and are joined at irregular intervals by similar light- 

 coloured lines. 



Mahwa. Bassia latifolia, Roxb. Weight, 62 lbs. (Troup). India. 



This timber is of a very bright, rich rose-red colour. The texture is 

 hard and close, and much resembles that of pyinkado [Xylia dolahriformis) , 

 without, however, possessing any of the sticky feeling of this wood. 

 Although there is a strong contrary grain it is capable of a smooth 

 surface. Gamble says that it is used for house-building, furniture, and 

 the naves of wheels. It would be useful for many purposes where a hard 

 wearing, smooth wood is required. It would also be suitable for turnery, 

 and it evidently stands well in all conditions. A few logs of this timber 

 reached London several years ago. They were described as Indian jungle- 

 wood ; a ready sale was found for the wood at satisfactory prices. 



The pores are neither large nor numerous.- Gamble describes them 

 as being " in short, radial wavy lines more or less in echelon." The 

 medullary rays, which are exceedingly numerous, are very fine indeed. 



Maire, Black. Olea Cunninghamii, Hook. Weight, 72 lbs. (Baterden). 

 New Zealand. 



Of this wood the New Zealand Board of Agriculture says : " Deep 

 brown in colour, often streaked with black and highly ornamental, 

 durable, even in grain, and takes a good poUsh. Procurable up to 20 feet 

 in length and 12 inches in width. Used for framing for machinery, mill- 

 wrights' work, and ornamental cabinet work of all descriptions." Bater- 

 den says that the timber makes good durable sleepers, piles, and fence 

 posts, and it is said to make capital wood for large engraving blocks if 

 properly seasoned, as it does not wear and bears high pressures. He 

 adds that it takes a long time to season. 



Mangeao. Litsaea calicaris, Benth. and Hook. Weight, 38-48 lbs. 

 New Zealand. 



" White, firm, strong, and of great elasticity, and is suitable for a 

 great variety of purposes requiring strength, toughness, and elasticity 



