THE FURNITURE WOODS OF COMMERCE. 
349 
double-ironed plane, it is rubbed with, a little sulphuric acid, 
and then with linseed oil. On examining it attentively, the 
varying shades are found to be owing entirely to the inflection 
of the rays of light, and this is more sensibly perceived in 
viewing it in different directions by candle-light. 
Before mahogany came into such general use, the wood of the 
red-flowering maple was largely employed in America for furni- 
ture; bedsteads are still made of it, which in richness and lustre 
excel the finest mahogany. Veneers of it are much used to inlay 
other woods in articles of cabinet work and for the finishing 
of ships’ cabins. The red-flowering maple never produces the 
variety known as “ bird’s-eye maple,” that being confined 
exclusively to the sugar, or rock maple. The sugar maple 
exhibits two accidental forms in the arrangement of the fibre, 
of which cabinet-makers take advantage for making beautiful 
articles of furniture. The first consists in undulations like 
those of the red-flowering maple, and is likewise known as 
“ curled maple the second, which takes place only in old 
trees which are still sound, appears to arise from an inflection of 
the fibre from the circumference towards the centre, producing 
spots of half a line in diameter, sometimes contiguous, and 
sometimes several lines apart. The more numerous the spots, 
the more beautiful and the more esteemed is the wood. This 
variety is called “ bird’s-eye maple.” 
Maple is now imported in considerable quantities from blew 
Brunswick, and fetches a high price; 413 tons, valued at 
£2,752, were received in 1861. The ancients held the maple 
in great esteem, and tables inlaid with curious portions of it, or 
formed entirely of its finely variegated wood, in some instances 
realized their weight in gold. 
The principal portion of the Satin-wood that comes into 
commerce is brought from the West Indies, and is produced 
by Maba Guineensis, an ebenaceous tree in the Bahamas, 
Hayti, &c. 
It is of a beautiful deep yellow colour, mixed more or less 
with orange and brown, and hence called, locally, “yellow 
wood ;” is remarkably close-grained, heavy, and durable. It 
is sometimes confounded with East Indian satin-wood, the 
produce of Chloroxylon Swietenia, a cedrelaceous tree. The 
latter possesses the richest colour, whilst the West Indian 
satin-wood has a higher and more variable lustre. In some 
instances the Indian wood is beautifully patterned or flowered, 
and is much used for picture-frames, rivalling bird’s-eye maple. 
Indeed, satin-wood fetches a much higher price than maple. 
The Chinese are very partial to this wood, and receive quan- 
tities of it from Siam. We obtain some from Ceylon and 
Madras. 
VOL. II. — NO. VII. 2 B 
