CHARACTERISTICS OF PORTO RICAN WOODS. 29 



two medullary rays, or often interrupting a ray ; evenly diffused. Med- 

 ullary rays conspicuous, visible to the naked eye, often disconnected. 

 Wood fibers strongly interlaced, giving smoothed surface a " curled " 

 appearance. Very attractive cabinet woods. Resemble forms of mes- 

 quite, especially Prosopis odorata. 



Ucare BLANCA. — Color, light ashy-brown. Minute ducts very 

 numerous, occurring singly, and evenly diffused between the medullary 

 rays. Medullary rays minute, very numerous, wavy, distinct. Wood 

 fibers strongly interlaced. Remotely resembling fine-grained heart- 

 wood of American elm. 



GuARAGrUAO. — Light reddish-brown, streaked with lighter and 

 darker shades. Large ducts numerous, occurring singly or in irregular 

 loose groups of two to four. Medullary rays numerous but very indis- 

 tinct. An exceedingly crossgrained, porous wood, somewhat similar 

 in color to cedro. Suitable for a cabinet wood. 



OapA blanca. — Color, clear light brown. Very numerous ducts, 

 occurring singly, and evenly diffused between the medullary rays. The 

 latter numerous, in distinct parallel lines. Structurally similar on the 

 radial section to American beech, the medullary rays giving a beauti- 

 ful, finely mottled satiny appearance. Tangential section unattractive. 

 Straight grained, and suitable for interior finish. Used for rollers in 

 coffee-hulling mills. 



Capa prieta. — Color, rich light brown, with darker streaks and 

 mottlings. Very numerous ducts, occurring singly or irregularly, 

 aggregated in twos and threes between the medullary rays. Medullary 

 rays numerous, indistinct, straight, i^arallel lines. Wood fibers inter- 

 laced, but wood appearing to be straight grained. Radial section 

 structurally similar to capa blanca. Tangential section somewhat simi- 

 lar to dark heartwood of American elm. Handsome wood for interior 

 finish. Used for flooring. 



Haciiuelo. — Color, rich, dark yellowish-brown, with streaks and 

 mottlings of light yellow-brown. Ducts minute, very numerous, 

 occurring singly, and irregularly diffused between the medullary rays, 

 or often interrupting the rays. Medullary rays very numerous, indis- 

 tinct. Wood fibers interlaced, but appearing rather straight grained 

 on the finished surface. Valuable for cabinetwork. 



Maga. — Color, rich chocolate-brown. Conspicuous ducts few, occur- 

 ring singly, and irregularly scattered between the medullary rays ; mostly 

 distinct, or occasionally two or three loosely grouped. Medullary rays 

 comparatively few, distinct, but inconspicuous. Wood fibers slightly 

 crossgrained, the smoothed surface appearing straight grained. Quar- 

 ter and radially cut medullary rays have a satiny appearance. The 

 rich color and attractive grain of this wood should make it valuable 

 for cabinetwork. 



