72 BULLETIN 354, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



*38. Pithecolobium saman (Jacq.) Benth. Saman, Guango; Rain tree (Br.W. I.). 



Cultivated tree from 45 to 60 feet high, occurring sparingly throughout the island. 

 Native of Central and South America. Excellent for shade in yards and along road- 

 sides, as well as in pastures where through the property of its roots to accumulate and 

 store nitrogen in the soil it is also beneficial to the grass crop. It yields pods very suit- 

 able for food for cattle. It is believed to be superior to the bucare {Erythrina) as a 

 shade for nutmeg, cacao, coffee, tea, and similar crops because less liable to fall and 

 injure the plantation. It is especially well adapted for planting in dry arid regions. 

 In Central America the wood is used to make wheels for oxcarts. 



Wood red, fine-grained, taking a good polish, fairly hard and heavy, not durable. 

 Pores moderately small, isolated or in groups of two to four, evenly distributed sur- 

 rounded by wood parenchyma which sometimes forms tangential lines. Pith rays 

 small, inconspicuous. 



Note. — Pithecolobium arboreum (L.) Urb. (Cojoba, Cojobana) is reported as 

 being a tree from 45 to 60 feet high and about 18 inches in diameter, occurring in 

 many parts of the island . The structure of the wood is similar to that of P . saman . 



*39. Albizzia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Acacia amarilla, Amor platonico, Flamboyan; 

 East Indian walnut, Siris tree, Woman's tongue (Br. W. I.). 



Beautiful cultivated tree from 30 to 40 feet high, drought resisting, and planted in 

 the southern part of the island. Native of the East Indies. Has no economic uses 

 in Porto Rico, but elsewhere the wood is used for house and boat building, furniture, 

 sugar-cane crushers, etc., while the gum, as an adulterant of gum arabic, is used in 

 calico printing. 



Wood dark broWn,- lustrous, and rather cross-grained, resembling our black walnut 

 (Juglans nigra 17.) in appearance* and finish, takes a good polish, seasons and works 

 well, is hard, heavy (about 48 pounds per cubic foot), moderately strong, and durable. 

 Pores small, isolated or in groups of two or three, evenly distributed and more or less 

 surrounded by wood parenchyma. . Pith rays small, inconspicuous. 



40. Acacia nudiflora Willd. Cojoba, Cojobana, Tamarindo cimarron, Acacia nudosa. 



Tree from 25 to 50 feet high and about a foot in diameter, with a limited distribution 

 on the east coast. Wood brown, tinged with red, somewhat coarse and straight- 

 grained, taking a good polish. It is hard, heavy, strong, moderately tough, and 

 durable. Pores rather large and arranged in more or less irregular tangential rows 

 visible on smooth transverse surface. 



Note. — Another species, Acacia riparia H. B. K. (Zarza), is reported as quite 

 generally distributed on the island. It attains at times a height of 45 feet and 

 has a wood similar to the above. 



*41. Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth. Acacia palida, Hediondilla ; Ipil-Ipil (Philippine 



Islands). 



Tree from 25 to 30 feet high and sometimes a foot in diameter, quite common through- 

 out the island and tropical America generally. The tree is especially well adapted 

 for reforestation of grassy wastes because of the ease with which it establishes itself in 

 competition with the grass sod and its rapid growth. Wood used locally for making 

 tools, handles, etc. 



Wood brownish, tinged with red, rather coarse and straight-grained, taking a good 

 polish. It is hard, heavy, strong, tough, and very durable. Pores rather large, 

 solitary, and evenly distributed. Pith rays very narrow and indistinct. 



42. Adenanthera pavonina L. Coralitas, Mato, Mato Colorado, Palo de mato, Pero- 

 nilas. 



Tree seldom more than 30 feet high, introduced from the East Indies, and growing 

 spontaneously in many places. The wood resembles red sandalwood (Pterocarpus) 

 and is used for making a red dye. The seeds when crushed and mixed with borax 

 make an adhesive substance. Wood used for house building and cabinetmaking. 



