HARDWOOD TIMBERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 121 
principal source of the supplies however, are British 
Honduras and ports on the Eastern Coast of Mexico. 
It is shipped in irregular and ugly-shaped pieces 
of root and branches, from which are obtained 
red and black dyes. In alcohol it gives a beautiful 
greenish-yellow colour which turns to an intense crimson 
on the addition of potash. A solution in water gives a 
port-wine colour, and it is a matter for conjecture as 
to whether there is any connection between this and 
the ‘‘ wine from the wood” which the wine merchant 
recommends ; if so, the fact is never acknowledged. It 
is said to be used extensively in the making of ink as 
well as for many other dyeing purposes. 
Fustic.—Another dye-wood which is exported from 
Central America and Brazil. This wood is of fairly 
hard description, having a fine, satiny texture, and 
being of yellow or yellowish-green colour. Occasionally, 
logs of small size are to be seen, but generally the wood 
is shipped in small pieces of irregular and rooty growth. 
The timber is used in Great Britain solely as a dye-wood. 
