CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE TIMBER TREES OF WEST INDIA AND CENTRAL 

 AMERICA. 



Among the rich variety of Timber trees met with in 

 Central and South America, and the Islands known 

 generally as the West Indies, a considerable number 

 never reach our markets. For our purpose it will 

 suffice that we note the following valuable species. 



MAHOGANY. 



The term Mahogany is applied to very different 

 timbers in various parts of the world. True Mahogany 

 is yielded by Swietenia, one of the Cedrelaceae, and is 

 also termed Bay-wood by the cabinet-makers. The 

 Toon of India {Cedrela Toond) is also often called In- 

 dian Mahogany, though, perhaps, it is more commonly 

 known under the equally inaccurate name of Cedar 

 (see p. 209). African Mahogany is a totally different 

 plant {Khaya Senegalensis), and the same is true of the 

 following : Bastard Mahogany {Ratonia apetald). East 

 Indian Mahogany {Soymida febrifuga), Mountain 

 Mahogany {Betula lentd), Madeira Mahogany {Persea 

 indicd), while various species of Eucalyptus (E. marginata, 



