604. Greenheart (Nectandra rodiœi), called by the natives "Sipiru," is very abundant within 100 miles of coast Balks of the timber, squaring from 18 to 24 inches, may be had from 60 to 70 feet long without a knot

The wood is hard and fine, but not even-grained. It is remarkable both for strength and durability. The colour of the sap-wood is a pale yellow, and the heart-wood a deep brown. It is said not to be liable to the attacks of the sea-worm. An instance is on record of a ship in the port of London having nearly the whole of the bottom planking eaten into by the worms with the exception of one plank, which proved to be of greenheart timber.†It was also found by Mr. Stevenson, at the Bell Rock, to resist the attacks of the Limnoria terebrans better than any other wood.

In consequence of this valuable property greenheart timber in its natural state is almost the only wood now in use for harbour works that is proof against the attacks of the Teredo navalis or the Limnoria terebrans, and it ranks next to teak in tropical countries for resisting the white ant. This immunity is supposed to be from its possessing a largo quantity of some powerful empyreumatic oil.

* See 'Report of the Colonial Botanist to the Cape Parliament in 1866,' in which a list of 460 shrubs and forest trees is given, † ' Min. Proc. Inst, of Civil Engineers,' 1852-3.

Greenheart is therefore well adapted for planking vessels, wharves, bridge piles, and all structures under water. Great care, however, is required in working it, from its liability to split. In sawing, the log requires to be tightly bound with chains to prevent its breaking up in splinters, which would be very apt to injure the men who were working it. It is imported into this country chiefly from Demerara, and has been largely used at Liverpool and other places in the north of England and Scotland. The weight of a cubic foot varies from 58 to 65 lbs. The crushing force in the direction of the fibre of a piece 1 inch square and 1 inch high is about 12,000 lbs. And the transverse strength of a specimen 1 foot long, between the supports, and 1 inch square, when loaded in the middle, is 1434 lbs.

There is another variety of greenheart, the wood of which is heavier and the colour darker. It is also more durable, but not as plentiful.