622 BOXWOOD AND ITS SUBSTITUTES. [Feb. 



to Turkey box, but it is superior to that generally used for posters, 

 and I have no doubt that it would answer for the rollers of mangles 

 and wringing machines." Mr. W. G. Smith, in a report in the Gard. 

 Chroa., July 26, 1873, p. 1017, on some foreign woods which 

 I submitted to him for trial, says that the wood of Fittosporum 

 imdulatum is suitable only for bold outlines ; compared with box, 

 it is soft and tough, and requires more force to cut than box. 

 The toughness of the wood causes the tools to drag back, so that 

 great care is required in cutting to prevent the lines clipping. 

 The average diameter of the wood is from 18 to 30 inches, 



2. Pitlos2)orum hicolor, Hook. — A closely allied species, some- 

 times 40 feet high, native of New South Wales and Tasmania. 

 This wood is stated to be decidedly superior to the last-named. 



3. Bursaria spinosa, Cav. — -A tree about 40 feet high, native 

 of North, South, and West Australia, Queensland, New South 

 Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, in which island it is known as 

 boxwood. It has been reported upon as being equal to common 

 or inferior box, and with further trials might be found suitable 

 for common subjects ; it has the disadvantage, however, of blunting 

 the edges and points of the tools. 



Natural Order Mdiacca:. 



4. Siuidenia mahagoni, L. (Mahogany). — A large timber tree of 

 Honduras, Cuba, Central America, and IMexico. It is one of the 

 most valuable of furniture woods, but for engraving purposes it 

 is but of little value, nevertheless it has been used for large 

 coarse subjects, Spanish mahogany is the kind which has been so 

 used. 



Natural Order Ilicinece. 



0. Ilex OjMca, L. (North American Holly). — It is a widely 

 diffused tree, the wood of which is said to closely resemble 

 English holly, being white in colour, and hard, with a fine grain, 

 so that it is used for a great number of purposes by turners, 

 engineers, cabinetmakers, and philosophical instrument makers. 

 For engraving purposes it is not equal to the dogwood of America 

 (Cornusjlorida) ; it yields, however, more readily to the graver's tools. 



Natural Order Celastrincce. 



6. Elceodendron australe, Vent. — A tree 20 to 25 feet high, 

 native of Queensland and New South Wales. The wood is used 

 in the colony for turning and cabinet-work, and Mr. W. G. Smith 

 reports that for engraving purposes it seems suitable only for 

 rough \vork, as diagrams, posters, etc. 



