PEACH WOOD. 



203 



The colour of a decoction of logwood is of a brownish 

 blood-red. Acids change it to the bright colour of red ink 

 (which is usually made by adding acetic acid to an infusion 

 of logwood chips). The alkalies strike a purple or violet, 

 and the salts of iron a dark violet, approaching a black 

 colour. 



The quantity of logwood imported into England in 1851 

 was 34,090 tons. The value is in proportion to the size of 

 the logs, the largest being the most prized. Latterly, large 

 quantities of the extract of logwood have been imported 

 from time to time. 



Nicaragua, Lima, or Peach-wood. Casalpinia echinata. 

 (Nat. Ord. Leguminosce.) 



This is sometimes called Eresil de St. Martha. It is in 

 logs about four feet in length, with a diameter of six or 

 eight inches ; the whole surface is broken up with deep 

 clefts, giving a very singular appearance to the pieces, which 

 are of a dark reddish-brown colour, the white wood or 

 alburnum being wholly or partly removed; like logwood, 

 the larger the logs, the greater is their value. 



It dyes red and peach-colour, and is very extensively 

 used; about 7000 tons are annually imported, chiefly from 

 Bio de la Hache, Mazatlan, Eealijo, and Lima. 



