XXIV.] 



SABICU. 



281 



later growth apparently strengthening, and most 

 effectually covering the defect. 



It may, however, be well to state, that in offering 

 this opinion of the cause of the cross fracture in Sabicu 

 timber, the same does not appear to affect the Mahogany 

 and other trees, the produce of Cuba, since no instance 

 of this peculiar defect has been found. 



Sabicu is used in ship-building for beams, keelsons, 

 engine-bearers, and stern-posts, and for pillars, cleats, 

 &c. Officers have, however, hesitated to employ it for 

 beams which are intended to carry heavy guns, lest it 

 should contain some hidden defect of the character 

 just mentioned. It is only sparingly used in works of 

 civil architecture, on account of its great specific 

 gravity. 



Table CXVII.— Sabicu (Cuba). 

 Transverse Experiments, 



Remarks. — Nos. i, 4, 5, and 6 broke with about 10 to n inches fracture ; 2 and 3, 

 broke with 8 inches fracture. 



