262 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



The wood is deep red in colour, hard, heavy, equally 

 horny with the St. Domingo Mahogany, very firm and 

 solid at the centre, fine and close in texture, and is 

 generally veined or figured, or in curls ; hence it is 

 very suitable for cabinet work in a small way, and for 

 turnery. 



HONDURAS MAHOGANY. 



This tree, which was formerly found in great abun- 

 dance in the forests of Central America, near to Belize, 

 was first imported into England about 1724 or 1725 ; 

 the supply is, however, gradually failing ; but until quite 

 recently it has been brought in sufficient quantities, 

 annually, to meet the requirements of this country; 

 it is therefore well known to commerce as a most valu- 

 able wood for furniture purposes. 



In contrast with the two varieties last mentioned, 

 these Mahogany trees of Honduras are very tall, and 

 rise 40 to 50 feet to the branches, with a circumference 

 of 6 to 9 feet ; they are generally straight, but are not 

 unfrequently of an irregular or crooked growth ; they 

 yield very fine logs of 25 to 40 feet in length, by 12 to 

 24 inches square, and some are occasionally met with of 

 much larger dimensions ; but even this does not show, 

 fully, the length of useful wood in this noble tree, since 

 we learn from those engaged in the trade that each tree 

 is cut several feet up from the ground, and that in this 

 way is involved a very unnecessary amount of waste of 

 a most valuable article. 



The wood is red in colour, moderately hard, strong, 

 tough, flexible and elastic while fresh, but becomes some- 

 what brittle when thoroughly dry; it has a smooth, 

 silky grain, works up well, and does not shrink or warp 

 much in seasoning; it is liable, however, to split into 



