Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/171

 CHAPTER XXIV.

WEST INDIES, ETC.

The Greenheart tree, Nectandra Rodicei, belonging to the natural order Lauraceæ, is found in Guiana, in the north-eastern portion of South America, and is an exceedingly valuable tree, yielding timber of perfectly straight growth, of from 24 to 50 feet in length, and 12 to 24 inches square.

Dr. Rodie detected in the bark of this tree an alkaloid called Bebeerine, which is used by the inhabitants of British Guiana as a remedy for fevers; and it is said, that when used as a substitute for quinine, it does not produce the headache and other symptoms found to follow the use of that medicine.

The wood is of a dark greenish, or chestnut colour, the centre part being often nearly black; it, however, varies slightly, and the darker kinds are considered the best in quality. It is clean and straight in the grain, very hard and heavy, tough, strong, and elastic. In a transverse section it resembles a cane in being very full of minute pores, and the concentric layers are only in rare instances distinguishable.

The heartwood is considered very durable, and is generally believed to be proof against the ravages of the worm when used for piles, or other purposes under water, a property which would greatly enhance its value if it could be relied upon; but its immunity under such circumstances is thought to be doubtful.