Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/185

XXIV.] protect it; further, it works up well, and there is only a trifling loss in its conversion. Therefore, as this wood is known to be durable, it has much to recommend it to the favourable notice of the manufacturer.

There is one defect, however, occasionally met with in the Sabicu, which must be set against the good qualities before mentioned, as it is more common to this than to any other timber with which we are acquainted. This is a cross fracture of a very remarkable kind, and of the greatest importance, from the fact that it can rarely be detected until the log is in process of conversion. It is then sometimes found that the longitudinal fibres of the early and middle period of the tree's existence are completely broken, while the outer woody layers of both the duramen and alburnum are perfect. This defect will sometimes occur in several places in the same tree.

It is difficult to conjecture the cause of this, since it cannot, one would think, be done by the concussion in the fall of the tree, as that would, if any injury were done, produce a more extensive fracture than has been noticed; one which would be apparent upon a superficial examination of the surface. I therefore incline to the opinion that it is produced by the storms and hurricanes that occasionally sweep over the island, swaying the trees to and fro, and snapping the longitudinal fibres of the stem, without breaking them completely off; the later growth apparently strengthening, and most effectually covering the defect.

It may, however, be well to state, that in offering this opinion of the cause of the cross fracture in Sabicu timber, the same does not appear to affect the Mahogany and other trees, the produce of Cuba, since no instance of this peculiar defect has been found.

Sabicu is used in ship-building for beams, keelsons, engine-bearers, and stern-posts, and for pillars, cleats, &c.