XXIV.] BRAZILIAN TIMBERS. 291 



loads which I inspected after it had been left in the open 

 in a moist country for about ten years, showed scarcely 

 any signs of deterioration either at the centre or at 

 any other part, and had but few shakes on the external 

 surfaces. 



The specific gravity is about the same as Honduras 

 or Mexican Mahogany. 



Southwards from Central America there are to be 

 foundjin the forests of the Brazilian Empire great varieties 

 of timber trees, many of which are no doubt of good 

 quality and fit for architectural purposes, but little or 

 nothing is known of them in this country, I therefore 

 take the present opportunity to place before the reader 

 a brief description of some twenty-four of them, with 

 their uses ; observing that specimens of these woods, 

 3" X 3" X i", were sent to the Admiralty in 1858, by 

 H.B.M.'s Consul at Rio de Janeiro, with the view to the 

 introduction of some of them for employment in ship- 

 building. 



Angelim-vermetho. The wood is reddish brown in 

 colour, and moderately heavy. It is probably of 

 crooked growth, as it is used for ship-timbers in the 

 Brazilian dockyards. Judged by the specimen, this 

 appears to be of good quality. 



Incaranda-tan. The wood is reddish in colour, 

 close-grained, and fit to be employed for furniture and 

 ornamental work. It is used for these purposes, and 

 might be made available for architectural works, as it 

 appears to be of good quality. 



Securipa. This is a brown-coloured wood, of mode- 

 rate weight, and fair quality. It is believed to attain 

 large dimensions, and being of straight growth, it would 

 convert well into planks, boards, and scantlings, for 



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