i68 
TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 
this sap-wood is, if possible, left on to preserve the rest 
of it from splitting. The chief defect in Lignum Vita; 
is the cup-shake, and this occurs rather frequently in the 
wood of io inches and upwards in diameter; it is, there¬ 
fore, often difficult to obtain a sufficient supply of the 
larger sizes suitable for the block-maker, who must have 
not only the roundest, but also the most solid, wood for 
his purpose. There are many demands, however, for 
this wood for less important services, and all that comes 
finds a ready sale. 
Lignum Vitae is imported in the round state, and in 
very short lengths ; pieces under io inches diameter are 
usually in lengths of 6 to 12 feet, and the larger wood in 
lengths of 3 to 6 feet. It is commonly sold by weight, 
and realises from £6 to ^18 per ton, according to size 
and quality. That from the city of St. Domingo is the 
best. The specific gravity is 1248. 
THE ROSEWOOD TREE ( Triptolomea ) 
is found in Jamaica, Honduras, Bahia, Rio, and San 
Francisco. It attains large dimensions, but is often 
faulty in the centre, owing to decay setting in long 
before the tree reaches maturity. 
The wood is dark chestnut, or brown, in colour, 
streaked or veined, and generally figured in the grain ; 
it is hard and heavy, but in the hands of the cabinet 
and pianoforte makers it works up well; it is highly 
valuable for all kinds of ornamental work, and for many 
purposes in the domestic arts. It takes a good polish. 
The chief defect in this wood is heart-shake, or 
hollowness at the centre, which extends far up the tree, 
and this necessitates the cutting of the logs down the 
middle longitudinally; often a middle piece is wasted 
on this account, consequently we never see sound solid 
