Uses 
The use of limba is increasing. It is used as solid wood and also as 
veneer and plywood, and is especially popular for blond furniture, school 
and shop fittings, radio and television cabinets, parquetry, and 
joinery. It has been used in construction but is too useful in other 
fields at present to be so used (k, 1^) . Limba is said to have been 
used in South Africa and in Germany for propellers and patterns, and has 
been given preliminary tests for pulp making (16) where rather high 
chemical consumption and dark stock were noted. However, this use is 
considered possible in the future, for it has been found to yield 
sufficiently strong kraft pulp (19) . 
Supplies 
Supplies are normally abundant. The wood is imported in logs up to 
30 inches in diameter or planks up to 30 inches wide and lengths up 
to 20 feet (^, 1^_). Ports of export include Borne., Kouilou, Matadi, and 
Landana. 
Minute Structure 
Growth rings are usually distinct and often conspicuous on the end 
surface; they are usually undulating. The boundaries are marked by a 
band of darker tissue at the end of the growth zone. Sometimes a narrow, 
discontinuous band of soft tissue is present, visible under a magnifying 
glass. 
The pores are rather large, individually distinct to the naked eye. 
They are very few to few in number and rather evenly distributed, 
usually much smaller at the end of the growth ring. They tend to show 
as oblique lines; although mostly solitary, occasionally they appear 
in radial groups of 2, 3. or even h» On longitudinal surfaces the pores 
or vessels are conspicuous as deep scratches, occasionally sparkling. 
Tyloses .-— Br ight , iridescent tyloses are sometimes abundant. 
Parenchyma is moderately abundant, not very distinct to the naked eye. 
It is discontinuous but borders the pores and extends laterally, often 
linking them in wavy lines. Crystals are often present in the vertical 
parenchyma (19). 
Rays are very fine, not visible to the naked eye and inconspicuous even 
on radial surfaces. They are usually uniseriate (19). 
Fiber length is reported as 1.20 millimeters (average), and diameter 
27.5 microns (l6) . 
Ash 
Although rich in ash, the proportion of silica is small (19) • 
Report No. R177S -5- 
