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THE ARBUTUS (Arbutus Menzesii}, belongs peculiarly to the Pacific coast, 

 occurring on Vancouver and the neighbouring islands, but never far 

 from the sea. It is a very handsome evergreen, but as tender, and is very 

 quickly affected by severe weather. It varies in size from a medium 

 sized tree of fifty feet, with a trunk eighteen inches to two feet in diame- 

 ter, to a shrub according to locality. The wood is white, close-grained, 

 heavy, and very nearly resembles Boxwood, and is used for the same 

 purposes as the latter, which, together with its scarcity, makes it valuable. 



THE ASH ( Fraxinus) is an elegant tree in growth, its branches diverging 

 from the stem like the branches of a chandelier, diminishing in length 

 with great regularity as they proceed upwards. The twigs end very 

 abruptly. There are several species of the Ash in Canada, and the wood 

 differs, more from difference of soil and situation, than that of any other 

 tree. It is highly esteemed for its strength, suppleness and elasticity, 

 and is used for cabinet work, farm implements, oars, barrel staves and 

 hoops, and is employed in carriage building and in the manufacture of 

 sleighs. Harrow strips of it are largely used in basket-making. The 

 White Ash, (Fraxinus Americana), is a tree of from sixty to eighty feet 

 in height, with a trunk from four to six feet in diameter, its wood is 

 light, tough and very strong. 



THE RED ASH ( F. Pubescens), is a medium-sized tree found on the bor- 

 der of swamps and in low ground. Its wood is of less value than the 

 other species. Black Ash (F. Sambudfolia), is a small or medium-sized 

 tree found on the border of swamps and along low river banks. Its wood 

 is of a brownish colour, tough and elastic, and easily separable into thin 

 layers. Blue Ash (F. Quadrangulata), is a large tree sixty to eighty feet 

 high, with a trunk in proportion, and its wood equal to that of the White 

 Ash. Green Ash (F. viridis), is a small tree growing along streams or in 

 low grounds ; its wood is tough and very elastic. 



SASSAFRAS (Sassafras OJficinale), is a small-sized tree with a white or 

 reddish wood, according to the soil in which it grows, light, very durable, 

 and slightly aromatic, but very little used. The roots, and especially 

 their bark, enter largely into commerce, and afford a powerful aromatic 

 stimulant. The oil of sassafras distilled from the roots is largely employed 



THE ELM ( Ulmus), when growing in the open clearing with a full supply 

 of light and air, is one of the handsomest Canadian trees. The main 

 trunk dividing into several leading branches, which continue to grow 

 upward, dividing and sub-dividing into long flexible, pendulous branches, 

 which again bend and float lightly in the air, give to this tree a broad and 

 somewhat flattened top of regular proportion and great beauty. When 

 growing in the forest, it is one of the most lofty trees, with a remarkably 

 straight, round trunk, without a branch till near the top, which is small 

 for the height of the tree. The elm prefers low, humid, and heavy soil 

 along the banks of rivers, or borders of swamps. Its wood has less 

 strength than the oak, and less elasticity than the ash, but it is tougher 

 and less likely to split, bearing the driving of bolts and nails better than 

 any other timber. It is used for the gunwales and blocks of ships, for the 



