XXIV. ] SABICU. 165 
protect it ; further, it works up well, and there is only a 
trifling loss in its conversion. Therefore, as this wood is 
known to be durable, it has much to recommend it to 
the favourable notice of the manufacturer. 
There is one defect, however, occasionally met with 
in the Sabicu, which must be set against the good 
qualities before mentioned, as it is more common to this 
than to any other timber with which we are acquainted. 
This is a cross fracture of a very remarkable kind, and 
of the greatest importance, from the fact that it can rarely 
be detected until the log is in process of conversion. It 
is then sometimes found that the longitudinal fibres of 
the early and middle period of the tree’s existence are 
completely broken, while the outer woody layers of both 
the duramen and alburnum are perfect. This defect will 
sometimes occur in several places in the same tree. 
It is difficult to conjecture the cause of this, since it 
cannot, one would think, be.done by the concussion in the 
fall of the tree, as that would, if any injury were done, 
produce a more extensive fracture than has been noticed ; 
one which would be apparent upon a superficial exami- 
nation of the surface. I therefore incline to the opinion 
that it is produced by the storms and hurricanes that 
occasionally sweep over the island, swaying the trees to 
and fro, and snapping the longitudinal fibres of the 
stem, without breaking them completely off; the later 
growth apparently strengthening, and most effectually 
covering the defect. 
It may, however, be well to state, that in offering this 
‘opinion of the cause of the cross fracture in Sabicu 
timber, the same does not appear to affect the Mahogany 
and other trees, the produce of Cuba, since no instance 
of this peculiar defect has been found. 
Sabicu is used in ship-building for beams, keelsons, 
engine-bearers, and stern-posts, and for pillars, cleats, &c. 
