Editorial Notes. 311 



mauutiicLiiro of agricultural implements and domestic wares, especially 

 for the handles of spades, hoes, scythes, rakes, and other light imple- 

 ments. In Canada and the northern part of the United States it is 

 extensively used for hoops and staves, the latter being esteemed for 

 casks to contain salted provisions and Hour. For the blocks of pulleys, 

 handspikes, belaying pins, and such purposes on board ship, it furnishes 

 the best of material, and it is in universal use for oars in all maritime 

 parts of the world. The wood is extensively imported into Europe iu 

 the form of planks ; the inner bark of the tree imparts a very permanent 

 yellow dye to skins, and is much used in Canada and the States for dye- 

 ing wool. The wood, when thoroughly well seasoned, is not liable to 

 shrink, warp, or swell; hence it is a most valuable timber for flooring, 

 and makes the most beautiful of floors from its whiteness and clear 

 urain. 



TiiuouGH the kind interest which Sir Eobert Christison, Bart., takes 

 in all things arboricultural, the public have now an opportunity of 

 seeing in the National Industrial Museum of Science and Art, at 

 Edinburgh, a curious relic of the ancient forest of Glenmore, and 

 of judging of the quality and valuable properties of the native Scots 

 fir timber. At the request of Sir Eobert, the Duke of Ilichmond and 

 Gordon has sent for exhibition in the Museum a plank of Scots fir, 

 5 feet 7 inches wide at the bottom, which was presented in 1806 to 

 the then duke, by the person who purchased and cut down the whole 

 of Glenmore Forest. It bears its rather curious history on a brass 

 plate affixed to its face, of which the following is a verbatim and 

 literal copy : — 



"In the year 1783 William Osbourne, Esq., merchant, of Hull, 

 purchased of the Duke of Gordon the Forest of Glenmore, the whole 

 of which he cut down in the space of 22 years, and built during 

 that time at the mouth of the Eiver Spey, where never Vessel 

 was built before, 47 Sail of Ships of upwards of 19,000 Tons burthen. 

 The largest of them, of 1,050 Tons, and three olliers but little inferior 

 in size, are now in the service of his Majesty and the Hon'''*-' East 

 India Conipany. This Undertaking was compleated at the expence 

 (for Labour only) of above 70,000£. 



"To his Grace the Duke of Gordon this Plank is ofter'd as a 

 Specimen of the Growth of one of the Trees in the above Forest by 

 his Grace's 



" most obed' Serv' 



"W. OSROUUNE. 



" Hull, Scjf 2m, 180G." 



Sir liobert Christison has, with his usual accurate criticism, 



