HARDWOOD TIMBERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 117 
Blue Mahoe.—This timber has a fairly wide distribution 
in the West Indian Islands and in adjacent countries. 
The wood is of greyish-brown colour and, otherwise 
than for colour, might be compared in weight, strength 
and flexibility with English Ash. A few logs in squared 
form are occasionally met with, principally exported 
from Cuba, but the consumption is quite negligible. 
Washiba.—This is another timber of the same tough 
and elastic character as the foregoing, and is obtained 
from Guiana and other sources in South America. It 
is reported as obtainable in long lengths and of large 
dimensions, but is somewhat scarce. No great amount 
has been shipped at any time. The wood is of reddish- 
brown colour, hard, heavy, strong, and very flexible. 
Tulip Wood.—A beautiful fancy wood of small 
growth which is obtained from the forests of Brazil, 
is known under this name. The wood is fairly heavy, 
hard and close textured ; its striped appearance bears 
some resemblance to a pink and yellow-striped tulip, 
hence its name. It is not at all common, the small 
amount exported being principally used for the making 
of bandings in marquetry work and for fancy turnery 
purposes. 
Partridge Wood.—This is another fancy wood ob- 
tained from the same source as the Tulip wood. It is 
extremely heavy, hard and dense, of a very dark-brown 
colour with darker markings, and is used for similar 
purposes as the above. In appearance it is somewhat 
similar to Cocus wood, of which an account follows, 
and is often mistaken for that wood. 
Cocus Wood.—Also known as West Indian, Brown, 
Jamaica Ebony, and by other names. This wood is 
well distributed in America and the West Indies. It 
is an even heavier wood than the foregoing, ranging 
from 77 to 87 Ibs. per cubic foot; compares with 
Ebony in hardness, and is of a rich, dark-brown colour. 
