CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 231 



numerous and the medullary rays very obscure and faint. On both, 

 however, they show in much the same degree on the tangential section. 



Pierocarpus Marsupium, Roxb. Weight, 53 lbs. Central and Southern 

 India, Ceylon. 



The chief native names of this species are vengai and bijasal. The 

 wood is a golden-brown colour with Ughter streaks, like a brown-stained 

 satinwood, and it has a satiny lustre. The grain is smooth, firm, and close. 

 Although it has estabUshed its reputation in Madras and at the Gun- 

 Carriage Factory at Jubbulpore, where it has been used for gun-carriage 

 wheels, its proper sphere is employment as a delicate furniture and cabinet 

 wood. Warmer in tone and less obtrusive in character than satinwood, 

 it would appeal with peculiar force to the artistic decorative artist in 

 wood, and it is a matter of surprise that it has never yet been exported on 

 a commercial basis. This is one of the timbers mentioned in Gamble's 

 list as being available in fairly large quantities. 



" Pores moderate sized and large, often subdivided, scanty, resinous, 

 uniformly distributed in pale patches, which are joined by fine, white, 

 wavy, often interrupted concentric lines ; marked on a vertical section. 

 Medullary rays very fine, numerous, short, uniform, and equi-distant." 

 (Gamble.) 



Pterospermum acerifolium, Willd. Weight, 45 lbs. India, Burma. 



The wood, which can be obtained in squares 20 feet x 10 inches 

 X 10 inches, is reddish in colour and moderately hard. It works and 

 polishes well, and is used for planking ; it also makes good matches and 

 match-boxes. 



PuKATEA. Laurelia Novae Zelandiae, A. Cunn. New Zealand. 



The Board of Agriculture, New Zealand, reports that this wood is 

 of " a pale brown colour streaked with deeper shades, often very 

 ornamental. Procurable in long lengths and up to 12 inches in width. 

 Excellent for furniture and also for boat-building." 



PuRiRi. Vitex littoralis, Dene. Weight, 62-76 lbs. (Baterden). New 

 Zealand. 



This wood, called also New Zealand teak, is of a dark brown colour, 

 and is very hard, dense, and heavy. Some experimental shipments 

 were made on a small scale, and efforts made to introduce it for decorative, 

 cabinet, and pianoforte work in London a few years ago, without, however, 

 apparently very much success. It is obtainable in lengths up to 20 feet 

 and 15 inches in width. Sir William Schlich, K.C.I.E., F.R.S., says that 



