LAUEACE^]147 147
Guibort has
- pointed out that the name Bois de Citron has been applied
to three distinct woods.
" 1. The Bois de Citron of Domingo, which was also called Hispanille,
and which he doubtfully identified as that of Amyris balsamifera, Linn.
It occurred in commerce in large blocks 6 to 12 ft. long, 12 to 18 ins.
wide, and 6 to 8 ins. thick. This he believed to have been sold in
Pomet's time as Bois de Santal Citron. (This is the tree that now
yields the West Indian Oil of Sandalwood.)
" 2. A wood in smaller pieces, 4 to 7 ins. in thickness, harder, heavier,
and of a deeper yellow colour, with a weak odour which disappeared on
exposure to the air.
" 3. The Bois de Citron de Cayenne, which he had also seen sold
under the name of Sassaffras. This appears to have been the * Bois
FIQ. 18.—Bois de Rose. Preparation of the wood.
[Roure Bertrand Fih.de Eose ' of Aublet, and the one which now yields the Cayenne Linaloe
Oil. Planchon states that he has seen the last-mentioned wood sold in
France under the name of Bois jaune de Cayenne, and Bois de Citron
del Cayenne, but prefers to retain Aublet's name of Bois de Eose de
Cayenne, or Bois de Licari, to prevent confusion (Licari kanali being
the native Indian name of the tree in French Guiana). He states,
however, that there are two woods known in Cayenne under the name
of Bois de Eose, the one called by the French inhabitants Bois de Eose
male, and the other Bois de Eose femelle. The former he identifies with
the Licari kanali of Aublet. He describes it as hard and heavy, formed
of interlacing woody layers, as having the flavour and odour of roses,
and a bitter taste. He remarks that in fissures and exposed surfaces,
the wood shows an efflorescence of fine white needle-shaped crystals.
It has a yellow tint darkening with age. The other wood, Bois de Eose
femelle, he identifies with Bois de Cedre blanc, which according to Aublet
is derived from Idea, altissima, now called Protium altissimum, March.
This wood is soft and very light, white or greenish when fresh, but