72 
SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
For instance, the yellow wood (two varieties), is invariably used for naves. It is 
a light wood, pithy, cross-grained, and wanting in fibre, and when cut into planks 
is much inclined to w r arp, yet it answers admirably when used for naves. It is 
durable, holds the spokes firmly, and is not liable to split when exposed to the sun 
or to the hot winds. 
For spokes, the red pear or white pear is found to answer exceedingly well, 
being close-grained, tough, and does not split. Felloes are made from the milk- 
wood (two varieties), it is close-grained, hard, and wiry in fibre, very durable 
when well seasoned. 
Poles or shafts are made of white iron wood. This is a heavy compact-grained 
wood, very strong and tough, though rather heavy for shafts. 
On the failure of the (so-called) Kaffrarian equipment sent from England to the 
Cape in 1864, wheels and shafts for artillery carriages were constructed by the 
artificers of the battery from the above woods, using the iron work from the 
numerous unserviceable wheels. The wheels thus made seemed likely to outlast 
many sets of those received from England, which were made of a wood called 
“pedook,” the failure of which, whether as shafts, felloes, naves, or interior 
fittings of limber boxes, was complete. 
Hough spokes, felloes, naves, &c. cut and seasoned in “ the bush,” can be 
delivered at the military station of King William’s town for a very small sum, and 
from thence the land carriage to East London, the port of embarkation at the 
Buffalo Mouth, is about forty miles. The freight to England would be incon¬ 
siderable. The Commissariat Department, who use all the above-mentioned woods 
for the construction of their own excellent transport carriages, could furnish any 
quantities, should it ever be determined to try the qualities of the Kaffrarian woods 
for the manufacture of artillery carriages. Experiments in this direction would 
not be costly, and might lead to important economical results. 
Sneeze wood. A tough, compact-grained wood, extremely resinous. This wood 
when used for piles in water or damp ground, endures for an indefinite period. 
A splinter will burn like a torch, the heat causing the resinous sap to fall from it 
in drops. It is much sought after for building purposes, and for fuel. It is 
unfortunately scarce, and is of slow growth; it is a most valuable wood. Any one 
sawing or using sand-paper to it, will at once understand the reason of its peculiar 
name. 
Olina and wild olive , are close-grained hard woods ; can receive a high polish, 
very ornamental, and durable. Much used for building purposes. 
Slink wood , black and red. Handsome dark woods, something like mahogany, 
used for furniture, sides of wagons. &c.; a valuable wood. 
JBlack iron ivood. A heavy, close-grained wood, veined with dark streaks; 
very ornamental. 
Black Bast. A light grey wood, remarkable for the jet black streaks running 
through it. Is not common. A very handsome, ornamental 'wood. 
Mimosa. The wood of the thorny mimosa, ( mimosa Jiorrida ); from this tree is 
procured the African gum of commerce. The vrood is of little value, excepting for 
fuel, for which it is largely used. 
Wait-a-lit. The Dutch e< wachum bitche,” the wood of the formidable thorn 
tree, which bears its claw-shaped thorns in double rows along each branch, the 
points being turned in different directions. This most vexatious of prickly shrubs, 
rarely attains to the dimensions of a timber tree, but the wood is of a very hand¬ 
some dark shade; it is hard and takes a high polish. The umtati, under bush, 
lemon wood, wolves’ thorn, clip-else, Kaffir plum, sugar bush, assegai wood (from 
which the Kaffir assegai handles are made), and the aromatic, sweet smelling 
umtamboti, &c. all forming part of this collection, require no detailed notice, they 
are all exceedingly pretty and ornamental. 
