THE MAHOGANY FAMILY. 



467 



America and India, of which Connarus speciosus is a largo 

 tree, plentiful throughout Pegu and Eangoon. The seeds 

 abound in a sweet oil. 



Zebra-wood (Omphalobium Lamhertii). A large tree, na- 

 tive of Guiana; it produces one of the woods called Zebra- 

 wood, used by cabinet-makers. 



The Mahogany Family. 



(Cedrelace^.) 



Large trees, with alternate winged leaves, bearing panicles 

 of small Howers. Petals 4 or 5. Stamens 8 or 10, free or 

 united in a tube. Fruit a woody-valved capsule; containing 

 flat winged seeds. 



About 30 large trees com.pose this family, natives of India, 

 America, and Australia ; one or two are found in West 

 Tropical Africa. They are famed for their timber. 



Mahogany (^Swietenia Mahagoni), A native of Jamaica and 

 Tropical America. It is a large-growing tree, with winged 

 leaves like the Ash. The timber is largely imported to this 

 country for furniture-making, the best coming from the 

 British possessions of Honduras ; one of the largest logs re- 

 ceived in this country measured 4 by 5 feet square. 



Jamaica Cedar {Cedrela odorata). A large tree, native of 

 Jamaica, and some parts of Tropical America, having leaves 

 like the Mahogany tree, but of a paler colour, which, with 

 the flowers and bark, have a most disagreeable odour, resem- 

 bling assafoetida. The timber is extensively used in Jamaica. 

 It is fine grained, and comes to this country under the name 

 of Jamaica Cedar. C. Brasiliensis is a similar tree, native of 

 South Brazil, where it attains the height of 120 feet. 



Toona or Chittagong Wood {Cedrela - Toona). A large 

 tree, native of Bengal, and the forests of Pegu. The flowers 

 have a sweet odour, resembling honey, and contain a yellow 

 dye. The timber is fine, and close-grained. An allied tree, 

 Chiclcrassia tabularis^ is also called Chittagong Wood. 



Australian Cedar {Cedrela australis). A large tree, native 

 H H 2 



