xxv. | MAHOGANY. 173 
THE ST. DOMINGO MAHOGANY TREE (Swiéetenza) 
is very similar in quality, but of much smaller dimen- 
sions than that of Cuba, and only a few logs exceeding 
8 to 10 feet in length, by 12 to 13 inches in the mean 
thickness of their scantlings, are imported into the 
markets of this country, although they are occasionally 
seen in well-squared logs, measuring 15” x 15” x 25’. 
The wood is of a deep red colour, hard, almost horny, 
heavy, strong, and very solid at the centre; it has a 
good figured grain, and near to the top of the stem, 
where it branches off, there is generally a rich and pretty 
feather or curl in it, which is much prized by cabinet- 
makers, especially when it is of sufficient length for 
table-tops, or the fronts of drawers. It shrinks very 
little, and rarely splits externally in seasoning. 
The average measurement of the logs imported is 
only about 100 superficial feet of 1 inch; while the _ 
pieces brought over as curls are seldom more than about 
12 superficial feet. Owing to the very small dimensions 
of this Mahogany tree, there is scarcely any that is 
available for architectural works, and the supply which 
comes to us goes solely to meet the demand for cabinet 
and ornamental purposes. 
THE NASSAU MAHOGANY TREE (Swietenia). 
This is even more dwarfish in character than the 
Mahogany of St. Domingo, and the logs imported have 
rarely exceeded 5 or even 3 feet in length, dressed into 
neat squares of 6 to 12 inches, the latter‘ size being, how- 
ever, rare. The measured contents of these logs average 
only about 8 to 9 superficial feet of 1 inch thick. 
The wood is deep red in colour, hard, heavy, equally 
