PREFACE 



In presenting this volume to working botanists the hope is 

 indulged that it may also prove of service to engineers and 

 especially to foresters. During its progress through the press 

 various opportunities have been offered for testing not only the 

 accuracy and value of the diagnoses for the recognition of woods 

 about the identity of which there was some doubt, but also its 

 general application to the elucidation of important questions 

 relating to practical forestry ; and the fact that such a work is 

 greatly needed at this time, and may materially assist in the 

 development of modern forestry, has been strongly empha- 

 sized. An important field for useful research may be found in 

 an extension of the studies here indicated, not only with respect 

 to exotic gymnosperms, but in their application to dicotyledonous 

 woods, many of which present problems of great scientific interest 

 and practical value. 



An effort has been made to keep the work up to date, espe- 

 cially with respect to the treatment of fossil woods, but the 

 author is only too conscious of many imperfections which it is 

 hoped the application of the book to practical service may assist 

 in making clear and ultimately removing. 



D. P. PENHALLOW 

 MONTREAL, CANADA 



