xxiv.J MAHOGANY. 263 



deep shakeSj externally, if this process is carried on too 

 rapidly. The quality of the wood varies very much, 

 according to the situation in which it is grown ; that 

 which is produced on a firm soil and in exposed places, 

 and notably that grown in the northern district, being by 

 far the best, while the timber produced on the low 

 moist grounds is generally soft, spongy, and inferior. 

 For the most part, however, it is of a very plain character, 

 with uniformity of colour, although occasionally logs 

 are found with a waviness or curl in the grain, ap- 

 proaching to figure ; and these, when worked up and 

 polished, present an appearance of great beauty ; such 

 logs generally realise, as in the case of Cuba Mahogany, 

 a much higher price than logs of the ordinary description, 

 which fetch at present market prices (1875) about 4)^d. 

 to 6d. per foot superficial of i inch. About two-thirds 

 only of the actual cubic contents, calliper measure, are, 

 however, brought to sale account; the remainder or 

 difference being allowed for the waste of saw kerfs, 

 shakes, defects, centres, &c., in the conversion of the log 

 into board, &c.* 



The economical uses of this wood are very numerous, 

 and it is much soyght after by shipwrights, carpenters, 

 cabinet-makers, turners, and others, who employ it for a 

 great variety of purposes. It has been largely used in 

 ship-building for beams, planking, and in many other 

 ways as a substitute for Oak, and found to answer ex- 

 ceedingly well. It is also used extensively for cabin- 

 fitments ; and in its application to the arts there is 

 scarcely any limit to its usefulness. 



The Honduras and other descriptions of Mahogany 

 have only about ^ to i inch of alburnum or sap-wood 



* This mode of measurement applies equally to all the other descriptions 

 of Mahogany, and to Cedar, 



