lignumvitae

It is as close and as heavy as ebony; not very much softer than _lignumvitae_; it cuts better than any other wood; and when an edge is made of the ends of the fibres, it stands better than lead or tin, nay almost as well as brass.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 13, No. 369, May 9, 1829 Various

The arbutus are scarce a crown apiece, but they are very beautiful: the lignumvitae I would not recommend to you; they stink abominably if you touch them, and never make a handsome tree: The Chinese arborvitae is very beautiful.

The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 2 Horace Walpole 1757