TREES OF POETO EICO. 81 



86. Anacardium occidentale L. Pajuil, Cajuil, Acaju, Maranon; Cashew tree (Br. 



W. I.). 

 A wild and cultivated tree from 20 to 40 feet high and from 9 to 12 inches in 

 diameter, occurring in all parts of the island. It is used largely in boat building, for 

 carriage hubs, yokes, and farm utensils. Its principal use in Porto Rico is for char- 

 coal and fuel. The nuts are edible when roasted, and yield oils which are useful for 

 many purposes. An acrid irritant substance contained in the soft shell of the nuts 

 necessitates care in handling them. This is driven off as poisonous fumes in roasting. 



Wood pinkish, fine grained, hard, moderately heavy (about 36 pounds per cubic 

 foot), strong, and durable. Pores small, isolated or in groups of two to four, evenly 

 distributed. Pith rays small, inconspicuous. 



87. Spondias mombin L. (=S. lutea L.). Jobo; Hog plum (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 30 to 40 feet high -and from 1 foot to 2 feet in diameter. Very common 

 throughout the island, particularly along roadsides. It is much used for stakes and 

 fence posts, which are very durable because they take root and live. It is probably 

 due to this property, as with the almacigo (Bursera simaruba), more than to any 

 specially favorable quality as a shade tree that they are so commonly found along 

 roadsides. It is one of the trees commonly pollarded for fuel wood and bears an edible 

 fruit which is much esteemed. 



Wood yellowish brown, fine grained, soft, light (about 30 pounds per cubic foot), 

 and moderately strong. Pores small, isolated or in groups of two or three, evenly 

 distributed. Pith rays minute, very inconspicuous. 



88. Spondias purpurea L. Ciruela, Ciraela del pais, Jobillo, Jobo frances; Spanish 



plum (Br. W. I.). 



A tree or shrub from 20 to 30 feet high, occurring in mountainous regions. It is 

 often cultivated for its fruit, which is considered superior to S. mombin. Wood in 

 all respects similar to S. mombin. 



89. Metopium toxiferum (L.) Krug. et. Urb. Cedro prieto, Papayo; Poison wood. 



Hog plum (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 30 to 50 feet high, with a short trunk sometimes 2 feet in diameter. It 

 has a limited distribution in the southwestern part of the island, and occurs through- 

 out the West Indies and on the keys of southern Florida. 



Wood rich, dark brown streaked with red, fine and straight grained, resembling 

 the wood of our native sumacs. It takes a fine polish, is easily worked, moderately 

 hard, heavy (about 50 pounds per cubic foot), not strong, and only moderately tough. 

 Pores small, very numerous, and evenly distributed throughout the wood. Pith 

 rays very narrow and inconspicuous. 



XXIII. Aquifoliace^e. 



90. Ilex nitida (Vahl.) Maxim. (=J. dioica Griseb.) Guero de sapo, Brigueta naranjo, 



Hueso prieto, Palo de hueso. 



Tree from 20 to 60 feet high and from 10 to 15 inches in diameter, occurring in the 

 mountain forests of the Luquillo region and generally throughout the island. The 

 wood is used for fuel and for hut building. Wood light-colored, fine-grained, hard, 

 and heavy. 



91. Ilex sideroxyloides var. occidentalis (Macf.) Loes. Gongolin; Central American oak 



(Br. W. I.). 

 Tree from 30 to 50 feet high, occurring in the mountain forests of the Luquillo 

 region. Wood of little use. Wood flesh-colored, hard, and heavy. 



XXIV. Celastrace.e. 



92. Elasodendron xylocarpum var. corymbosum (Vahl.) Urb. Cocorron, Coscorron, 



Guayarote. 



Shrub or tree from 10 to 30 feet high, occurring quite generally along the seacoasts 

 of the island. Wood fine-grained. Pores minute, isolated, or in groups of two or 

 three, evenly distributed. Pith rays moderately narrow but conspicous. 



21871°— Bull. 354—16 6 



