Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/194

174 horny with the St. Domingo Mahogany, very firm and solid at the centre, fine and close in texture, and is generally veined or figured, or in curls; hence it is very suitable for cabinet work in a small way and for turnery.

THE HONDURAS MAHOGANY TREE (Swietenia).

This tree, which was formerly found in great abundance in the forests of Central America, near to Belize, was first imported into England about 1724 or 1725; the supply is, however, gradually failing; but until quite recently it has been brought in sufficient quantities, annually, to meet the requirements of this country; it is therefore well known to commerce as a most valuable wood for furniture purposes.

In contrast with the two species last mentioned, these Mahogany trees of Honduras are very tall, and rise 40 to 50 feet to the branches, with a circumference of 6 to 9 feet; they are generally straight, but are not unfrequently of an irregular or crooked growth; they yield very fine logs of 25 to 40 feet in length, by 12 to 24 inches square, and some are occasionally met with of much larger dimensions; but even this does not show, fully, the length of useful wood in this noble tree, since we learn from those engaged in the trade that each tree is cut several feet up from the ground, and that in this way is involved a very unnecessary amount of waste of a most valuable article.

The wood is red in colour, moderately hard, strong, tough, flexible and elastic while fresh, but becomes somewhat brittle when thoroughly dry; it has a smooth, silky grain, works up well, and does not shrink or warp much in seasoning; it is liable, however, to split into deep shakes, externally, if this process is carried on too rapidly. The quality of the wood varies very much,