Context: It is not only the proportion of latewood, but also its quality, that counts. In specimens that show a very large proportion of latewood it may be noticeably more porous and weigh considerably less than the latewood in pieces that contain but little. One can judge comparative density, and therefore to some extent strength, by visual inspection.

Question: What could we call some specimens with a high proportion of latewood that explains why they weigh less than specimens with much less latewood?

Answer: porous