752 CEDAR 



and Theophrastus as native habitats of tho Cedrus ; we may thus fairly infer that tho 

 Cedrus of the ancients as frequently had reference to the other Conifer as to tho 

 Lebanon species. 



The pencil cedar is the Juniperus Virginiana. It is imported from America in 

 pieces from 6 to 10 inches square. The grain of tho -wood is remarkably regular 

 and soft, on which account principally it is used for tho manufacture of pencils, and 

 from its agreeable scent for the inside of small cabinets ; it is also made into matches 

 for the drawing-room. 



The general use of the cedar wood dates from tho highest antiquity. Pliny makes 

 mention of cedar wood and tho uses to which it was applied, and cites, as examples of 

 its durability and imperishable nature, the timber of a temple of Apollo at Utica, 

 in Africa, which, was nearly 2,000 years old, was found to bo perfectly sound, and 

 the famous statue of Diana in the temple of Saguntum in Spain. Cedria, an oil or 

 resin extracted from a cedar, was also, according to Vitruvius, used to smear over 

 the leaves of tho papyrus to prevent the attacks of worms ; and Pliny states that tho 

 Egyptians applied it with other drugs in the preparation of their mummies; but 

 whether this extract was obtained from the Lebanon cedar or from trees belonging to 

 the genus Cupressus or Juniperus, which also afford odoriferous resins, it is now 

 impossible to ascertain. 



In regard to the cedar and cedar wood mentioned in profane history, it is difficult, 

 from what we have already stated, to determine what has reference to the true cedar, 

 and what belongs to other coniferous species ; all that we can know for certainty is 

 that a wood called cedar, distinguished for its incorruptible nature, was frequently 

 used for purposes most important in the eyes of the pagan, viz., in tho building 

 and decoration of their temples, and for the statues or images of their heroes and 

 gods. 



The peculiar balsamic odour of cedar has long been held as a means to preserve 

 articles from the attacks of insects ; chips and shavings of the wood have been in this 

 way kept in collections of linen, papers, and objects of preservation. Cabinets have 

 been recommended, or at least the drawers and fittings, to be made of cedar. It may 

 be useful to call attention to some facts when cedar is employed as a means of 

 preservation. 



That the odoriferous substance when diffused may affect some forms of organic 

 life, is not disputed, but it is as probable some of the effect may be due to covering 

 the insect with a coating of varnish, alike irritating and interfering with the tex- 

 ture of the surfaces of the body ; but the rule cannot be general ; if the creatures 

 have a sufficient hardihood they may, and indeed do, attack the wood itself. 



The following cases will show that the substances emanating from cedar may pro- 

 duce unexpected interference. Mr. Vulliamy states that George III. had a cabinet 

 in the observatory at Kew with drawers of cedar wood in them ; watches were 

 placed with the intention of keeping them going. In a short time they all came to 

 rest ; the experiment, however, repeated had the same result : on examination, the 

 oil used in different parts of the watches was found to be completely changed into a 

 substance like gum. Mr. Farey's observations, also communicated to the Institution 

 of Civil Engineers, still more show the extraordinary atmosphere produced in close 

 cabinets of cedar wood, and of the effects upon delicate objects. The late Mr. Smith of 

 Derby having shown him a small collection of minerals which have been locked up in 

 closely -fitted drawers of cedar wood ; on opening the drawers for the first time after 

 some months, the minerals were found to be covered with a gummy matter having the 

 strong odour of cedar, and troublesome to remove ; the bright surface of the crystals 

 appeared as if varnished in an unskilful manner. The cedar had given off a vapour 

 that had condensed on all the minerals, and the same effect might be expected to be 

 produced upon watches, metals, and other substances. 



White cedar is a native of North America, China, and Cochin China ; in the United 

 States it occupies large tracts, denominated cedar swamps. The wood is soft, smooth, 

 and of the aromatic smell, and internally of a red colour, permanent in shape, very 

 durable, and is esteemed as a material for fences. Large quantities of shingles are 

 made of it ; it is a favourite material for wooden wares or the nicer kinds of coopers' 

 work. 



Colonel Lloyd, speaking of another species of cedar, tho Juniperus Bermudiana, 

 says, ' Up to this time there are great quantities of the finest cedar growing in the 

 'British island of Bermuda, and the best ships and schooners are always built of it ; 

 it is imperishable.' 



The cedar known to cabinet makers as the llavannah cedar is the wood of tho 

 Cedrela odorata of Linnaeus, and belongs to the same natural order as mahogany. All 

 the cigar boxes from Havannah arc made of this kind of cedar ; it is imported from 

 the island of Cuba, and is used for tho insides of drawers and wardrobes, 



