TREES OF PORTO RICO. 79 



60 feet high, occurring in the forests, widely distributed, but not plentiful, 

 throughout the uplands from the Luquillos to Mayaguez. Wood similar to the one 

 above. 



75. Trichilia. 



Three species of this genera occur in Porto Rico: Trichilia pallida Sw. (Caracolillo, 

 Gaita, Ramoncillo, Cabo de hacha); Trichilia hirta L. (Cabo de hacha, Guaita, Jobillo, 

 Molinillo, Palo de anastasio, Retamo, Guayavacon) ; and Trichilia triacantha Urb., 

 trees from 15 to 60 feet high, occurring principally in the mountainous regions of the 

 island and to some extent in the limestone hills of the south coast. Wood, though 

 very similar to that of G. trichilioides , is seldom used except for fuel. 



XX. Malpighiace^e. 



*76. Byrsonima spicata (Cav.) L. 01. Rich. Maricao. 



Tree from 20 to 60 feet high and from 18 to 24 inches in diameter, occurring quite 

 generally in forests throughout the island. The wood is used for furniture and house 

 building. The bark- is astringent and is used for tanning. 



Wood dull reddish brown, moderately fine grained, taking a good polish, moder- 

 ately hard, heavy, and strong. Pores small, isolated or in groups of two or three, 

 evenly distributed. Pith rays narrow, inconspicuous. 



*77. Byrsonima lucida (Sw.) L. CI. Rich. Palo de doncella, Sangre de doncella. 



Tree from 20 to 30 feet high, quite widely distributed on the island. The wood is 

 highly esteemed for furniture and interior finish. Wood dark brown, very fine 

 grained, taking a good polish, moderately hard, heavy, and. strong. Pores minute, 

 isolated, or in groups of two or three, evenly distributed. Pith rays very narrow and 

 inconspicuous* 



XXI. Euphorbiace.se. 



78. Phyllanthus. 



Two species of this genera are found in Porto Rico, one a native {Phyllanthus nobilis 

 var. antillanus (Juss.) Mull. (Amortiguado, Avispillo, Higuerilio, Higuillo, Millo, 

 Palo de millo, Siete-cueros [mas.], Yaquillo [fern.]) is a tree from 30 to 60 feet high, 

 widely distributed on the island; the other Phyllanthus distichus (L.) Mull. (Grosella, 

 Grosella blanca, Cerezas, Cereza amarilla, Otaheite gooseberry), introduced from 

 India, is a tree from 15 to 30 feet high, cultivated for the sake of its fruit. Wood of 

 both is but little used, although very beautiful, white, hard, strong, and tough. 



*79. Dry petes lateriflora (Sw.) Kr. et Urb. Varital; Florida or Guiana plum, White- 

 wood (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 20 to 30 feet high and from 5 to 10 inches in diameter, found principally 

 near Bayamon. It is also common in southern Florida and on the islands of the West 

 Indies. Wood rich dark brown, very fine and cross grained, hard, heavy (about 58 

 pounds per cubic foot), not strong, brittle, and liable to check in drying. Pores small, 

 solitary, or in short radial rows, with numerous very fine tangential lines of softer tissue 

 present. Pith rays very numerous and inconspicuous. 



80. Drypetes alba Poit. Cafeillo, Hueso, Palo de vaca bianco. 



Tree from 15 to 60 feet high found in the mountain forests of the Sierra de Luquillo 

 and Cordillera Central. The wood is often used for hubs of wheels, and also for fuel 

 and charcoal. 



Wood light yellow, with irregular, thin, yellowish-brown streaks, fine and cross 

 grained, taking a high polish, hard, moderately heavy, strong, tough, and difficult 

 to split. Pores rather small, solitary or in short interrupted radial rows, evenly dis- 

 tributed. Pith rays very narrow, but plainly visible on a smooth surface under the 

 hand lens. 



Note. — Another species of this genera of slight importance, yielding a wood 

 of inferior quality which is seldom used except for fuel and charcoal, is Drypetes 

 glauca Vahl. (Palo bianco, Cafeillo, Varital, Palo de aceituna), a tree from 20 to 

 50 feet high and from 1 to 2 feet in diameter, generally distributed throughout the 

 mountain forests and somewhat in the woodlands along the south coast. It is 

 also common throughout a number of the islands of the West Indies. The wood 

 is of inferior quality. 



