Mahogany

ma-hog'a-ny, a large forest tree of the West Indies and Central America. There is but a single species. The leaf resembles that of the ash tree. The flowers are small and five-parted. They are borne in panicles. The fruit is a pear-shaped woody capsule packed with winged seeds. The tree is prized chiefly for lumber. Trees from Central America afford boards four feet wide. The wood is close-grained, free from shakes, and has a rich, dark red color. To these desirable qualities may be added freedom from a tendency to warp. The wood is prized by cabinetmakers. Solid mahogany was at one time considered the most expensive and valuable furniture made. The wood is now cut usually into thin sheets which are glued as veneer on frames, panels, and the like. The best lumber is cut green and is conveyed by ship to the purchasing countries, as, if allowed to float in sea water for any length of time, the logs are likely to be attacked by marine borers. Aside from expense, mahogany is desirable wood for inside finishing work. It is considered a second-class wood for shipbuilding purposes. Immense quantities of mahogany lumber have been exported to Great Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, but the relative demand has fallen off of late owing to the introduction of metal furniture and a return to local woods of a lighter color. The cultivation of mahogany has been introduced into the northwest provinces of India. See Logwood