Is a Ship Canal Practicable? / Notes, Historical and Statistical, Upon the Projected Routes for an Interoceanic Ship Canal Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in Which is Included a Short Account of the Character and Influence of the Canal of Suez, and the Probable Effects Upon the Commerce of the World of the Two Canals, Regarded Either as Rivals, or as Parts of One System of Interoceanic Navigation

by S. T. Abert

WOOD AND TIMBER.

The following, from the account of Lloyd and Sidell, gives the local names and character of the most useful species:

1. Guachapali.—Abundant; four or five feet in diameter, like walnut; good under water.

2. Macano, or Cacique.—Crooked, medium size; good in ground or water; much used.

3. Espino Amarillo.—Not abundant; good in water; yellow; not liable to decay, or to be attacked by insects; straight; easily worked; seven kinds.

4. Cedro Espinoso.—Large, straight, light; heart alone good in open air and under ground.

5. Cedro Cerollo.—Large, crooked, durable.

6. Cedro real, Amargo.—Finest cedar of the country; used for many purposes in carpentry and boat-building; grows to five or six feet in diameter, and is very common.

7. Nispero.—Large; not easily worked; stands well when sheltered; insects do not touch it; resists transverse strain; two kinds much esteemed.

8. Guayacan, or Guallacan (Lignum vitæ).—Common; close-grained; heavy; works well when green; grows to four or five feet in diameter; used for gun-carriages, wheels, etc.

9. Algarobo.—Excellent wood; hard and tough; reddish brown, with streaks; large; common; used for gun-carriages.

10. Mangle Caballero (Mangrove).—Good as the Nispero; abundant near water; gives pieces thirty to forty feet long, and one foot square; used for vessels.

11. Alcomorque (cork tree).—Supplies large beams, which wear well.

12. Malvicino.—Yellow; abundant; wears well; employed in building.

13. Caoba (mahogany).—Large; not heavy; good for interiors; if not properly seasoned, is brittle.

14. Robles.—Large; not heavy; easily worked; used for paddle by the Indians; stand well in air; two varieties, one not good.

15. Cocobolo Prieto.—Tough, hard; beautifully figured (like rosewood); three feet in diameter; fragrant when green; used for carpentry and cabinet work.

16. Tutumia (calabash tree).

17. Cano Blanco.—Cane; good for lathing when split.

18. Quira.—Tough, close-grained, heavy; different colors, from light brown to very dark; very high; from one to three and one-half feet in diameter; plentiful; used in house-building.

19. Madrono Fino.—Like box; one and one-half foot in diameter; excellent wood for turning.

Mr. Loyd gives a list of ninety-five varieties of woods, of which list the above are the most valuable.