304 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



that on the whole the shipments have consisted of sizes more irregular 

 in width and length, and containing more faults, with a much larger 

 percentage of sap-wood. 



Turkish Walnut. — This most nearly resembles the French walnut, 

 but it includes a greater proportion of figured wood. 



Walnut, African. Lovea Klaineana, Thompson. Weight, 30 lbs. 

 12 oz. West Coast of Africa. 



This wood is shipped, usually mixed with consignments of mahogany, 

 from all the ports on the West African coast. The logs are generally of 

 large sizes, 8 to 30 feet long and 18 to 40 inches square, and are at times 

 of even larger dimensions. They are also received in the round, either with 

 or without the bark. The wood only resembles walnut in its colour 

 and by the fact that it shows the same streaks of veins which are pro- 

 minent in the true walnut {Juglans regia). This is probably the reason 

 why the incorrect term of walnut has been applied to it in the timber 

 trade. In aU other respects, such as formation, grain, weight, tex- 

 ture, and figure, it resembles African mahogany. The logs vary in 

 character, those from Cape Lopez being almost entirely plain and straight- 

 grained, while from Benin and Lagos the larger portion of the wood is 

 strongly marked with stripes or roe, which, though sometimes straight, 

 is more often broken up into an irregular growth showing black Unes 

 which curve and twist into fantastic shapes. These form what is termed 

 " blister " or " snail " figure, while other unusual markings also occur. 

 The colour is somewhat similar to that of French walnut, but is more 

 variable ; sometimes the wood is of a darker brown, but it nearly always 

 has a golden tinge. By careful selection a yeUowish-brown golden tint can 

 be obtained which is quite unique. It is easily worked, and is not waste- 

 ful in conversion, as is most European walnut. The logs provide long 

 lengths and good widths free from defect, so that without difficulty 

 panels can be obtained up to 2 feet 8 inches and even 3 feet in width. 



Although up to the present African walnut has been procurable at 

 a low cost, few have discovered what a handsome decorative wood it is. 

 Mr. Leonard Stokes, a former President of the Royal Institute of British 

 Architects, has used this wood for many important buildings, amongst 

 which is that of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. All of this beautifully 

 designed work is left from the tool without polish, and has a very fine 

 appearance. Mr. Stokes also designed a room in this wood for Lord 

 Digby, which has been much admired. Mr. George Miller has had his 

 library at Newberries, Radlett, Hertfordshire, furnished and panelled with 

 it. In this case a dull brown poUsh has been used, the result being a 

 most handsome and effective appearance. Richly figured curls or crotches 



