138 
TIMBEE 
and is used for general building work. It is a similar 
timber to the purple-heart of Guiana. 
Sicupira Assu {Bowadichia rergelirides) and Sicupira Merim 
(7^. minor) are grey coloured woods of straight grain used 
for beams and planking in shipbuilding, cart axles, and are 
of the first quality amongst Bahia sleeper woods, having 
a life of over ten years. 
Weight 55 lbs. per cubic foot. 
Brazil possesses a very large variety of valuable timbers, 
excellent in quality and durable. M. de Teive e Argollo, 
M.I.C.E., has been good enough to send the author 
particulars of over fifty species of wood from Bahia alone, 
only some of which space has allowed him to include. The 
following are a few more : — 
Aderno {Astronium sp.), a red coloured wood. 
Pao d'Arco {Teconia speciosa), or arch wood, very crooked 
and of dark yellow colour. Brazilian Indians make bows 
of it. 
Batinga {Astronium speciosa), of a red colour. 
Cabraiba and Oity {Moqnilia tormeniosa), of a red colour. 
Cana fistula {Cassia fistula), of a brown colour. 
Jatoba {HynociLra courharil), light yellow in colour. 
The above are used for general building and construction 
work, and most of them make excellent sleepers. 
Pao Paraiba {Simaruha versicolor), white in colour and very 
light. Used for doors, ceilings, windows, and cigar boxes. 
Tapioca, light yellow in colour and light. Used for doors, 
ceilings, windows, cigar boxes, and for furniture. 
