WEST INDIA ISLANDS AND CENTEAL AMEEICA 151 
tree's existence, and the defect is not noticeable until the 
wood is cut up; for this reason it is seldom used for 
beams carrying loads. Some sabicu planks were laid on 
the roadway of St. George's landing stage at Liverpool 
a short time ago, but were not found suitable for 
vehicular traffic and had to be taken up after six 
months. It was used as steps in the Exhibition building 
of 1851, and the same steps were in use in the Crystal 
Palace at Sydenham nine years after. Sabicu is classed 
with karri, jarrah, blue gum, and other timbers in 
Lloyd's List. It is used by cabinet-makers and turners in 
Great Britain, and one sometimes sees an advertisement 
asking for small pieces of this wood. 
The wood is heavy, about 59 lbs. per cubic foot, hard, 
and strong. 
Lancewood {Guatteria virgata) is imported chiefly from 
Jamaica in the shape of spars 4 or 5 inches in diameter, and 
in large quantities. It is used for the shafts of dogcarts, 
carriages, etc., also for fishing rods. The tree is only about 
9 inches diameter with the bark on. The grain is close 
and straight, and the wood wiry, flexible, and tough ; the 
colour is greenish to yellowish, showing no difference 
between the heart and sapwood ; it is often confused with 
degame wood. 
Weight 52 to 63 lbs. per cubic foot. 
Degame {Calt/cophylluni candiiHssimum) grows plentifully in 
Cuba to a height of 40 or 50 ft., and logs may be got about 
12 inches square. The wood is of pale yellow colour, very 
fibrous and close grained, somewhat resembling boxwood : 
it is strong and elastic, easily worked, almost free from 
knots, takes a good polish, and is very durable. Used 
extensively in house framing and joinery : joiners in its 
