The tree attains its greatest development and grows most abundantly between 10° N. lat. and the Tropic of Cancer, flourishing best on the higher crests of the hills, and preferring the lighter soils. It is found in abundance along the banks of the lsuinacinta, and other large rivers flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the larger islands of the W. Indies. British settlements for cutting and shipping the timber were established so long ago as 1638-40, and the right to the territory has been mnintained by Great Britain, chiefly on account of the importim.e of this branch of industry. The cutting-season usually commences about August. It is performed by gangs of tnen, numbering 20-50, under direction of a " captain " and accompanied by a " hunts man," the duty of the latter being to search out suitable trees. and guide tbe cutters to them. The felled trees of a season are scattered over a very wide area. All the liireer ones are "squared " before being brought away on wheeled trucks along the forest-roads made for the pnrpc,e. By March-April, felling and trimming are completed ; the dry season by that time permits the trucks to be wheeled to the river-banks. A gang of 40 men work 6 trucks, each requiring 7 pair of oxen and 2 drivers. Arrived at the river, the duly initialed, are thrown into the stream ; the rainy season follows in Mily-June, and the rising current carries them seawards, guided by men following in canoes. A boom at the river-mouth stops the timber, and enables each owner to identify his property. They are then made up into rafts, and taken to the wharves, for a flnal trimming before shipment. The cutters often continue their operations far into the interior, anri over the holders into Guatemala and Yneatan, The exports of mahogany from British Honduras were 1,821,307 ft. in 1876, 3,080,807 in 1877, 3,146,582 in 1878. San Domingo exported In 1880: 18,000 ft. to Great Britain, 62,400 to France, 24,200 to Germany, 58,500 to Italy, 86,650 to Spain, 104,000 to tho W. Indies ; totah, 333,750 ft. The approximate London market values are :—Cuba, 5-9d. a ft. ; Snn Domingo, 5-9d.; Mexican, 4-5,/. ; Tobasce,4i-Gi/. ; lloinhiras, 4-50. (See Mahogany-gum, p. 1673.) Mahogany [African] (s. senegaleusis).—This hard and durable wood is brought from Sierra Leone, and is much used for purposes requiring strenetli, hardness, and durabilit. But it is very liable to premature decay, if the heart is exposed in felling or trirnming.
Mahogany [E. Indian).— Two species of Stoirten/t are indigenous to the E. Indies:— S. febri fuga is a very large tree of the mountains of Central Hindostan; the wood is less beautiful than true mahogany, but much harder, heavier, and more durable, being considered the most lasting timber in India. S. chloroxylon is found chiefly in the Circar mountains, and attains smaller dimensions ; the wood more resernhles box.
Mango (Mang,:ient indica).—This tree grows abundantly in Inrlia, cvhere numerous varieties are cultivated, as also in Mauritius, Brazil, aud in other tropical climates. Its wood is generally coarse and open-grained, but is excelleet for common doors and dnor-posts when well seasoned ; it is light and stroeg, but liable to snap ; it is durable in the dry, but decays rapidly when exposed to weather or water, and is n3uch attacked by worms and ants. Its weight is 41 lb. a cub. ft.; cohesive force, 7700 lb. ; breaking-weight, 560 lb. (See Resins, p. 1673.) Maple (A,.er saccharinum).—The sugar-maple (see pp. 1902-3) is liable to a peculiarity of growth, which gives the wood a knotted structure, whence it is called '' bird's-eye maple." The cause of
this structure has never been satisfactorily explained. The handsome appearance thus given to the wood is the reason of its value in furniture and cabinet-making.
Miro (Pudocarpus ferruginca). —This is a New Zealand tree, giving brownish wood 20-30 ft. long and 15-30 in. sq., useful for internal carpentry and joinery, and weighing 46 lb. a cub. ft.
Mora (Mora excelsa).—This tree is a native of British Guiana and Trinidad, growing luxu riantly on sand-reefs and barren clays of the coast regions, reaching 130-150 ft. high, and squaring 18-20 in. Its wood is extremely tough, close, and croas-grained, being one of the most difficult to split. It is one of the eight first-class woods at Lloyd's, making admirable keels, timbers, 6 s beams, and knees, and in most respects superior to oak. Its weight is 57 lb. a cub. ft. ; crushing force, 10,000 lb., hreaking-weight, 1212 lb.
(Terminalia coriacea).—This is a common tree of Central and S. India. Its wood is hard, heavy, tough, fibrous, close-grained, rather difficult to work, unaffected by white ants, and con sidered extremely durable. It is used for beams and telegraph-posts. Its weight is 60 lb. a cub. ft. ; breaking-weight, 860 lb.
Nan-mu (Persea Nanmu).—That portion of the Chinese province of Yunnan which lies between 25° and 26° N. lat. produces the famous nan-mu tree, which is highly esteemed by the Chinese for building and coffins, on account of its durability and pleasant odour. It is imported into Shanghai in planks measuring 8 ft. long and 13-11 in. diam., for which the highest price is 200 dol. (of 4s. 2d.) a plank.
Nauglia.—This tree is generally found in the Pacific Islands on desert shores, or on the brinks of lagoons, where its roots are bathed by the tide. Its wood has great weight, intense hardness, and closeness of grain. It is considered a valuable substitute for box for wood-engraving (see p. 1610). Blocks 18 in. diam. are common.
Neem (Melia Azadirachta).—This is a common, hardy, and quick-growing Indian tree, reaching 40-50 ft. high, and 20-24 in. diam. The trunk and branches are cut into short, thick planks, much used for lintels of doors and windows. The wood is hard and durable, but attacked by insects. Its fragrant odour makes it in request by natives for doors and door-frames. It is difficult to work, takes a fine polish, and is good for joinery vvhere strength is not demanded ; but becomes brittle and liable to snap when dry. Its weight is 51 lb. a cub. ft. ; cohesive force, 6940 lb.; breaking-weight, 600 lb. (See Oils—Margosa, p. 1395.) Oak (Quercus spp.).—The most common British oak is Q. pedunculata, found throughout Europe frorn Sweden to the Mediterranean, and in N. Africa and Asia. Its wood is tolerably straight and fine in the grain, and generally free from knots. It splits freely, makes good laths for plasterers and slaters, and is esteemed the best kind for joists, rafters, and other purposes where a stiff, itraight wood is desirable. The " durmast " oak (Q. sessiliflora) has the same range as the preceding, but predominates in the German forests. Its wood is heavier, harder, and more elastic ; liable to warp, and difficult to split. Both are equally valuable in ship-building. Quantities of oak timber are shipped from Norway, Holland, and the Baltic ports, but are inferior to English-grown for ship building, though useful for other purposes.