278 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



SO far deteriorated by shakes as to be unfit for almost 

 any purpose in carpentry. 



The wood of the Balata tree [Mimusops globosa) was 

 dark red in colour — fine, close, and straight in the grain 

 — hard, heavy, strong, and somewhat resembled the 

 African timber of commerce, except that the centre of 

 the logs was very shaky. Decay, with hollowness, had 

 set in about the pith in some of the logs, indicating that 

 it had commenced while the trees were still young, and 

 otherwise strong and vigorous. 



When the logs referred to had been kept for only 

 a few months to season, the ends split open very much, 

 and as these splits or shakes crossed each other at 

 nearly right angles, and extended rapidly, they seemed 

 likely soon to separate the pieces into four quarters, a 

 serious defect which disqualified them for use in large 

 scantlings, and rendered them only fit for some inferior 

 purposes. 



Judged by the samples of Carapo and Balata, it 

 seems that neither are suitable for important works of 

 construction; it is therefore doubtful whether any 

 supplies will be now imported. 



JUBA (Eryihroxyloii) 



is found in Havana. Two sample pieces of plank, cut 

 from the Juba tree, were sent by the Consul-General in 

 Cuba, in 1858, to the Admiralty, with a view to the intro- 

 duction of this wood into the royal dockyards for ship- 

 building purposes. 



It was understood they were forwarded at the request 

 of Mr. Donald, a gentleman of considerable experience 

 in the timber business, who was of opinion that it would 

 be found a useful wood. He reported that the tree 



