282 WOODS FOB ENGRAVING. 



the China Box (Murraya exotica) has also been submitted for 

 examination. On trial it proved to be like the wood of many of 

 the Aurantiacea? or orange family, hard and close in the grain 

 near the centre, but softer near the bark. The cross section of 

 this tree is very irregular. 



The wood of the coffee-tree (Coffea aralica) disappointed the 

 expectations that had been formed of it. The first piece of 

 this sent to the School of Arts was very hard, unform and close 

 in the grain, but small. Some pieces of old trees, 6 inches 

 in diameter, were afterwards procured, but they proved to be 

 soft, uneven in grain, and not fit for engraving, though the 

 wood is well adapted for ornamental carving or inlaying. The 

 specimens sent us were badly selected. This wood works beau- 

 tifully on the turner's lathe, and cuts very sharply under the 

 chisel, gouge, or graver; it is deserving of more attention for 

 ornamental carving and inlaying. It harmonises well in colour 

 with the wood of orange and that of the Inga dulcis or Kuruka- 

 pulli. It approaches in colour and grain to walnut, but is too 

 coarse for engraving, though fit for gunstocks and cabinet work. 



The only other woods tried were — (1.) A very close-grained fine 

 and uniform wood (Dodonosa viscosa), sent from the Kilgiris under 

 the name of iron- wood, used for turning and for making walking- 

 sticks. It worked well under the graver and on the turning- 

 lathe, but the piece sent was too small to print from ; and (2.) A 

 piece of Fustic (Madura tinctoria), grown in the Horticultural 

 Garden at Madras, but this proved to be too soft nnd coarse for 

 engraving, though a rich-coloured bright yellow wood, suited for 

 inlaying. 



About two years ago, it was reported that true boxwood was 

 discovered in the N. W. Provinces, and a log was procured for 

 the School of Arts by Captain Maclagan, of the Eurkee College, 

 and forwarded to Calcutta for despatch to Madras ; but had not 

 appeared at the time of this Eeport. 



