Introduction, 
In successive Universal Exhibitions it 
has been recognised that Brazil is 
the richest country in the world in 
timber for building and industrial 
purposes. 
In the State of S. Paulo more than 800 varieties of timber 
for building and industrial purposes have been noted; its higher 
regions are still covered for the greater part with dense virgin 
forests. 
Its timber-lands and forests stretch from the shores of the 
Atlantic Ocean to the Campos do Jordao in the Serra da Manti- 
queira which rise to an altitude of 2,100 metres, producing a 
succession of zones of varying climate, from a tropical warmth 
to the temperature of the higher lands of Middle Europe. 
The State of S. Paulo produces timber so durable that it 
has been known to form part of structures much more than a 
century old, and even of as long standing as the colony itself: 
a duration of 50 years is very common for many species of 
timber used in work exposed to the weather and to the action of 
water. This period is quite usual, for instance, in bridge structures, 
in river works, and even in harbour and coast constructions 
exposed to the action of salt water. 
Its timber is remarkable, too, for its beauty of colouring, 
from the clear white of the Malacacheta, &c., to the jet-black 
of the Gratna and others. In fact all colours are represented, 
the white marfim-velho of the Pequid-marfim, the uniform light- 
yellow of the Guatambd, the red of the Aroeira and others, the 
green of the Sucupira, the violet of one of the Jacarandas, and 
the pink of the Guarabd; all with grain of most equisite mark- 
ing, which greatly enhances their employment for works of art 
in wood and affording handsome surfaces for polishing. 
The Eucalyptus has become quite indigenous to the soil, 
grows rapidly and lends itself well to auto-reproduction. It may 
be truly regarded as the timber of the State, for it exhibits the 
same valuable qualities so notable in the Eucalyptus of Australia. 
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