5-8 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



or to the attacks of insects. There are seven kinds of 

 amarillo, all of which are considered good timber. 



" Cedro Espino. — This is a large tree, the trunk 

 straight and the timber not heavy. The heart-wood 

 alone is good, and this stands well in the open air, 

 or under ground, as well as in interiors. It is the 

 kind commonly used on the Isthmus in making 

 boards. Cedro Ceholla. — Large tree, rather crooked ; 

 in other respects similar to the espino. The curate 

 of a village on the Isthmus assured Mr. Hutardo, 

 that the trunk of a fallen tree, lying partly in the 

 water, had been used by his people as a bridge from 

 time immemorial. 



" Cedro Amargo. — Is a large tree, easy to work, 

 and stands well in the open air. Nispero, — Is a 

 large tree and not easy to work ; stands well when 

 not exposed to sun and rain. Insects do not touch 

 it, but it is liable to rot if exposed to the inclemency 

 of the weather. It is esteemed for its resistance to 

 transverse action. There are several varieties, 

 amongst which the Nispero real and Nispero de 

 Montana are most esteemed. The sapadillo is said 

 to be identical with the nispero, and there are fre- 

 quent instances of the great durability of this w T ood. 

 At the castle of San Lorenzo, near Chagres, and 

 amongst the old works at Porto Bello, are great quan- 

 tities, which have endured, under various circum- 

 stances of exposure, for half a century and over. 

 The timber resembles the cherry of the North- 

 about the same color, hardness, and weight. It is 

 quite straight grained and a very fine timber. 



