The Forests of British Guiana. 189 
grows plentifully in some localities, especially above, and 
on the islands in, the rapids of the Essequibo River. 
Kumara is a closed-grained heavy brown-coloured wood, 
exceedingly tough and durable, and is useful for cogs, 
shafts, and any other purpose where a strong wood ca- 
pable of resisting great pressure is desired. This tree 
yields the well known tonkin-beans ; they are used by 
the Indians to perfume their hair-oil and when put 
among clothing are supposed to keep away moths and 
other insects. An oil can be extracted from beans. 
The average height of the tree is about 90 feet, and it 
will square to 22 inches. 
KuRAROO, or Bat-seed, is a tree common throughout 
the colony, and may be seen growing in Georgetown, 
where it is known as wild-olive. Its wood is hard but 
not very durable, and is little used ; it takes a fine polish 
and would be useful for furniture. This tree does not 
grow very tall, but the diameter of the trunk is great 
in proportion to its height. Its average height is about 
68 feet, and it can be squared to 39 to 48 inches in 
short lengths. 
ARAMATA is comparatively a common tree throughout 
the colony, and grows on sandy soil. It is a dark- 
coloured hard wood, and is used in boat-building, house- 
framing, and sometimes for cabinet work. Its average 
height is about 80 feet, and it can be had to square 12 
inches free of sap. A decoction of the bark is used by 
the Indians to wash their dogs, and sometimes their own 
heads, to destroy vermin. 
Warikuri or White Cedar grows plentifully in 
swampy places. When mature it is a dark brown, hard, 
AA 
