698 BOXWOOD AXD ITS SUBSTITUTES. [Mar. 



extensively cultivated as a fruit-tree. The wood is of a light- 

 brown colour, and somewhat resembles limewood in grain. It is, 

 however, harder and tougher. It is considered a good wood for 

 carving, because it can be cut with or across the grain with equal 

 facility. It stands well when well seasoned, and is used for 

 engraved blocks for calico-printers, paper-stainers, and for various 

 other purposes. Pear-wood has been tried for engraving purposes, 

 but with no great success. Mr. Scott's opinion of its relative value 

 is referred to under pai'cha wood (Enonymus Sieboldianus). 



11. Amelanchier canadensis, L. (Shade Tree or Service Tree of 

 America). — A shrub or small tree found throughout Canada, New- 

 foundland, and Virginia. Of this wood Porcher says, in his 

 Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests : " Upon examining 

 with a sharp instrument the specimens of various southern woods 

 deposited in the museum of the Elliott Society. ... I was struck 

 with the singular weight, density, and fineness of this wood. I 

 think I can confidently recommend it as one of the best to be 

 experimented upon by the wood engraver." 



12. Cratcegus oxyacantha, L. (Hawthorn). — A well-known shrub 

 or small tree in forests and hedges in this countr}^ The wood is 

 very dense and close grained. Of this wood Mr. Scott reports that 

 it is by far the best wood after box that he has had the opportunity 

 of testing. 



Natural Order Myrtacece. 



13. Eugenia ijroccra, Poir. — A tree 20 to 30 feet high, native of 

 Jamaica, Antigua, Martinique, and Santa Cruz. A badly seasoned 

 sample of this wood was submitted to Mr. E. H. Keene, who 

 reported that "it is suited for bold, solid newspaper work." 



Xaturcd Order Cornacece. 



1 4. Cornus Jlorida, L, (iSTorth American Dogwood). — A deciduous 

 tree, about 30 feet high, common in the woods in various parts of 

 North America. The wood is hard, heavy, and very fine grained. 

 It is used in America for making the handles of light tools, as 

 mallets, plane stocks, harrow teeth, cog-wheels, etc. It has also 

 been used in America for engraving. 



In a letter from Professor Sargent, Director of the Arnold 

 Arboretum, Brooklyn, Massachusetts, he says : " I have been now 

 for a long time examining our native woods, in the hope of finding 

 something to take the place of boxwood for engraving, but so far, I 

 am sorry to say, with no very brilliant success. The best work 

 here is entirely done from boxwood, and some Cornus florida is 



