224 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



A Manual of the Timbers of the World, their Characteristics and 

 Uses. By A. L. Howard. Pp. xvi + 446. London: 

 Macmillan & Co., Ltd., 1920. Price 30s. net. 



Mr Howard's work consists mainly of a descriptive account 

 and catalogue of a great number of timbers. The merits and 

 characteristics of these are discussed in a practical manner, and 

 since the author's opinions are based on his observations over 

 a period extending to more than forty years they are worthy 

 of confidence. Chapters giving copies of Laslett's tables and 

 dealing with the artificial drying of timbers are also added. 

 These, although short, form a by no means unimportant part 

 of the book. 



The timbers are described under their trade and botanical 

 names, and the difficulties which such a system must introduce 

 are eliminated by the provision of two indexes. The book is 

 produced in a pleasing style, and the numerous photographic 

 reproductions are good. 



There are misstatements but they do not mar the book's 

 practical value. In dealing with the larch, for instance, the 

 author is unfortunately mistaken in stating that larch " disease 

 has practically disappeared." We have also never before seen 

 it stated that the Romans removed larch from these shores 

 during the period of their occupation. Then, while British- 

 grown spruce and hardwoods are discussed at some length, 

 there is no notice of home-grown Scots pine, which is not an 

 unimportant timber on the market. There are also other 

 timbers of commerce unmentioned, but this is not surprising 

 when the numbers the author had to deal with are considered. 



The work is thoroughly practical in its whole bearing and, 

 though it does not deal with the microscopical structure of the 

 timbers, we can recommend it as of great use to studentSj 

 architects, and engineers. 



Conifers and their Characteristics. By Charles Coltman-Rogers. 

 London: John Murray. Pp. ix + 333. Price 21s. net. 



Occasionally one feels that conifers are amongst the most 

 neglected of plants, so far as literature that will assist in the 

 identification of the various genera and species is concerned. 



