2. Herminiera elaphroxylon.—

We are indebted to Messrs. Thomas Christy and Co. for a sample of a similar article, of which the opinion was more favourable, and which was apparently made from the wood of the "Ambash" (Herminiera elaphroxylon), the curious pith-wood of the Nile. It has the advantage of being obtainable in larger pieces than Agave stems, and can, therefore, be cut into strops with a more uniform texture. According to Colonel Grant it may be obtained in abundance. He informs me that in three years it almost choked up the channel of the Bahr-el-Gazelle," and the natives use its light logs to assist them in swimming across rivers.