2G3 



into tlio wood, suggesting in apiiearauce tlie galleries of boring 



insects. 



An idea of tlie appearance of tlie wood at tlie present time may 

 be gleaned from tlie fact tliat in two separate areas, eacli 3 inches 

 square, the fissures number 31 and 52 respectively. In most 

 instances they are still roughly triangular, and the base varies in 

 length from fi to -^ of an inch, about ^ of an inch being 

 tlxe average. In A-ery few cases do the fissures extend through the 

 autumn wood, though here and there are found evidences of a 

 tendency for the summer and autumn wood to separate. Tlie 

 depth and straiglitnoss of the fissures can be appreciated from the 

 fact that in a log 3-] feet in length a wire can be easily inserted to 

 a depth of from 12 to 25 inches in many of the holes. 



The present condition of the wood appears to be due to local 

 shrinkage during drying and to bo connected with abnormal soft- 

 ness and weakness of certain parts. Ilaj)id growth encouraged by 

 mild and moist atmospheric conditions may have been responsible 

 for undue softness of the summer wood. The tree had been 

 grown as an ornamental specimen and was said to have been about 

 80 feet high. At 3| feet from the ground the trunk measured 

 25 inches in diameter and showed 48 annual rings. The rings 

 vary a good deal in width not only between those of different 

 years, but the same ring varies in different parts of the circum- 

 ference. Thus, whilst a ring in the depressions of the trunk, 

 Avhich occur between the swellings corresponding with the but- 

 tresses, may be but ^ of an inch wide, the same ring in another 

 place may be from ra to ^ of an inch wide. 



In weight the wood is about 22^ lbs. to the cubic foot- Hough 

 gives the weight of native grown wood as 23'66 lbs. per cubic foot. 



From the fact of the wood of this tree being of considerable 

 value in AVostern North America and of the species growing well 

 in many parts of the British Isles, it has been jdanted rather 

 extensively in some places under the various names of T, pUcatay 

 T. gigantea and T. Lobhiiy for silvicultural purposes. It would, 

 however, be well to make a thorough investigation of the wood 

 from various parts of the country in order to prove whether it is 

 really likely to be of commercial value after it is grown before 

 further extensive plantings are made. Very fair samples of wood 

 have been received from Western Scotland which, after seasoning 

 for several j^ears, are quite sound, but in a specimen grown in 

 Devonshire a few triangular fissiires occur. In Ireland it is said 

 to grow well for a certain time and to form good scaff'old poles and 

 pit props, but as the tree advances in age the wood is apt to be 

 troubled by heart rot. So far as can be seen at present, inferior 

 wood is to be expected from trees growing under very mild climatic 

 conditions where the atmosphere is heavily charged with moisture. 



W. D. 



Botanical Magazine for September. The jdants figured are 



Eclnnopana.v liorridus. Dene and Planch, (t. 8572); Haviamelis 

 vernalisj Sargent (t. 8573); Timelca ferraginea^ LabilL (t. 

 8574); Aconitum rotund if oliumy Kar. and Kir, (t. 8575), and 

 Tillandsia Betifhamiafia, Kh^tz^ch, var. Andrleua-ii, Mez (t- 



8570). 



