Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/198

178 48 inches on the side, with every appearance of having been cut from tall trees. Hence we infer that in their growth they must exceed the height of those grown in Honduras.

The wood is red in colour, moderately hard, less strong, and with the centre more soft, spongy, and shaky than either of the varieties before referred to. Exception may, however, be taken in favour of Tabasco; the districts of Frontera, Chiltepec, Santa Ana, and Tonala, each yielding some very excellent timber. The grain of the Minatitlan is generally very plain, but that cut in the province of Tabasco has generally some rowiness or figure to recommend it for special purposes. It is easy to work, takes a good polish, splits very little, and stands well after it is seasoned. It is tough and elastic while quite fresh, but brittle when thoroughly dry, breaking off short if subjected to a heavy strain.

The chief defect in Mexican Mahogany is the prevalence of star-shake, and this, combined with the spongy character of the early layers, or centres, of many of the trees, frequently spreading, as they do, over about one-sixth of their diameter, detracts very much from their usefulness; but, as this can all be seen by examining the ends, the converter will naturally select and appropriate the logs to the work he may have in hand, and thus avoid any serious loss.

The Mexican Mahogany is generally too large and heavy in growth to be converted profitably to ship scantlings, but is in other respects a very good substitute for Honduras for all kinds of joiners' and cabinet work,