332 popular economic botany. 



African Woods. 



The woods of Africa are very few in number, and only one 

 is imported in considerable quantities : it is the 



African Oak, or African Teak. Oldfieldia Africana 

 (Nat. Ord. Euphorhiacece) . — Long as this valuable wood 

 has been known, it was only in 1850 that its botanic cha- 

 racters were determined. In consequence of some seeds 

 germinating at Kew, it was at once ascertained by Mr. Ben- 

 tham to be* a new genus of Euphorhiacece, to which the 

 name of Oldfieldia was given, in honour of the gentleman 

 who sent the seeds. For some particular purposes in ship- 

 building, this timber is unrivalled, but its great weight 

 prevents its general application. The imports are con- 

 siderable. 



A species of Ebony is also frequently brought from the 

 African Gold Coast in small pieces, or sticks, about two 

 inches square and three or four feet in length, but nothing 

 is known of the tree which produces it. It is chiefly used 

 for inlaying, turning, and for the handles of surgical in- 

 struments. 



American Woods, 

 the woods of north america. 



The greatest portion of the building timbers imported 



