286 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



except that a small percentage of the logs have a slight 

 heart, or perhaps, star-shake at the pith or centre, there 

 are no defects affecting the conversion of it into planks, 

 boards, &c., as may be required. This wood, therefore, 

 seems fit for employment in architecture for most of 

 the purposes to which African Mahogany, Oak, Teak, 

 Sabicu, &c., &c., are used. 



It is reported to have been used for some time in the 

 French dockyards as backing to armour plates on ships, 

 and as it does not appear to contain any acid it might 

 be employed in lieu of Teak for a similar purpose in 

 England. It has been said that it does not rot in water, 

 that it is proof against attacks from many insects to 

 which other timber is liable, and that it is durable. The 

 specific gravity is estimated to be about 770 to 820 when 

 seasoned.* 



2. Balata. (See p. 278.) This wood is of a yellowish 

 colour, hard, heavy, strong, plain in grain, with slight 

 heart-shake at pith or centre. It appears to be of good 

 quality, and fit for employment in architecture in lieu 

 of other hard wood, or it might be used for furniture. 

 The sample logs were 13 to 18 inches square, by 20 to 

 24 feet in length. 



3. Ebene. This wood is greenish in colour, very 

 hard, heavy, strong, plain and even in the grain, solid, 

 and good in quality. The sap-wood is about i}i inch 

 thick. It would be useful in turnery, or for any of the 



* Since the above was written, an opportunity has offered of practically 

 testing a few logs of partially seasoned Ang^lique timber, a. g. 916. They 

 opened very sound, and were tough, strong, and elastic. There was very 

 little waste in the conversion — in reducing it to planks, &c. In working, 

 however, it was found that some of the logs emitted an unpleasant odour, and 

 — unless in seasoning the odour should evaporate — this may possibly prove 

 detrimental to its value for general purposes, perhaps for the inside of ships, or 

 in close, damp places. 



