THE WOOD 235 



share; nevertheless, during conflagrations the behavior 

 of wooden structures is often less objectionable than that 

 of metal structures ; for, though a beam of wood burns, it 

 retains its shape to the last, and the structure may stand 

 and be saved ; while under the same circumstances metal 

 beams twist out of shape and thereby occasion the fall of 

 the entire structure. This behavior of wood in conflagra- 

 tion has induced the best authorities, fire underwriters 

 and others, to recommend the use of wood in all large 

 structures where the combustible contents of the rooms 

 annul the value of fireproof metal construction. 



If wood were a good conductor of electricity, its useful- 

 ness as a material of construction in our large cities 

 would be much impaired, for it appears to be a very 

 serious and constantly growing difficulty to protect life 

 and property against this dangerous but useful force. 



8. Woods are normally inoffensive in smell and taste. 

 Liquors and wines of the most delicate flavors are kept in 

 oaken casks for many years without suffering in quality. 

 Chemical changes, often directly producing poison, pre- 

 vent the use of cheap metals for these purposes. 



9. Owing to their structure, all woods present varieties 

 of characteristic aspects, and possess no small degree of 

 beauty. A plain surface of metal, of whatever kind, is 

 monotonous ; while one of wood, unless marred by paint, 

 presents such a variety of unobtrusive figures that the 

 eye never tires of seeing them. That this ))eauty is (piite 



