118 TIMBER 
It is exported in small pieces of about 6 ft. to 8 ft. long, 
and from 3 in. to 6 in. in diameter, which have exterior 
sap-wood of about 2 of an inch in thickness, and is used 
for the manufacture. of flutes and other musical 
instruments, small cabinet work, and turnery purposes. 
Purple-heart.—This is a Demerara fancy wood occa- 
sionally met with, and is obtained from a tree which 
grows to large dimensions, both in height and girth. 
The wood is hard, heavy and strong, and its appreciation 
is due to its colour, which, brown when first cut, after- 
wards turns to a decided purple. This rarity of 
colour renders it an acquisition to marquetry cutters 
and to the cabinet-makers. 
Sabicu.—A Cuban wood which is in favour for its 
strength and durability among naval shipbuilders, 
ranking high in Lloyd’s list. It was formerly largely 
used in Government work, but is now little required, 
the use of iron, and alterations in methods of construction, 
having rendered its use a thing of the past. The wood is 
of rather dark-brown colour and is fairly hard and heavy, 
and, exported in squared logs of similar size and make 
to mahogany, is sometimes used in place of that wood. 
It is also often finely figured like mahogany, having, 
but for its brown colour, a very similar appearance. 
Crabwood.—Another hardwood which is principally 
supplied from British Guiana, but which is obtainable 
in other adjacent countries. This is a moderately hard 
wood, somewhat coarse in the grain, and of reddish- 
brown colour. It is extracted in large squares and of 
long lengths, but the export of late years has been 
principally in the form of converted planks and boards. 
It is shipped as a probable substitute for the cheaper 
kinds of mahogany, but, although selling fairly well 
when the regular descriptions are scarce or their price 
high, is not appreciated to any great extent. 
