194 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
areas by means of its winglike appendages, some falling 
into crevices or clefts of rock, others upon more nutri- 
tious soil, but all or many germinating, and after years 
at length attain immense proportions, and reproduce in 
turn. The flight of the seed of the mahogany-tree 
accounts, to a great extent, for its dispersed existence, 
it never being found growing in groups or clusters, as 
might be supposed. The usual season for felling this 
tree is spring or autumn. If felled in the intermediate 
months the wood is liable to crack in seasoning; but as 
a precautionary measure to this event, if immersed in 
water as soon as possible after being felled, or until ship- 
ment kept in a moist atmosphere, no damage need be 
expected, as the temperature during transportation and 
the gradual seasoning of a more temperate climate than 
its own prevent the cracking which might otherwise be 
occasioned. 
The wood of the mahogany-tree has long been known 
for its excellence of qualities for all domestic furnishings. 
Its introduction into England dates back to 1724, and an 
interesting account of the use to which it was first put 
in that country is given in Browne’s “ Trees of America.” 
He says: “Dr. Gibbons, an eminent physician in the be- 
ginning of the last century, had a brother, a West India 
captain, who brought over some planks of this wood as 
ballast. As the doctor was then building a house in 
King Street, Covent Garden, his brother thought they 
might be useful to him, but the carpenters finding the 
wood too hard for their tools, they were laid aside as 
useless. Soon after, Mrs. Gibbons wanted a candle-box; 
the doctor called on Wollaston, his cabinet-maker, in 
Long Acre, and requested him to make one of some 
wood that lay in his garden. Wollaston also complained 
that it was too hard; the doctor said that he must get 
stronger tools. The candle-box at last was made, and 
so highly approved of that the doctor insisted on having 
a bureau made of the same wood, which was accordingly 
