163 



VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



fact is, that the name ebony is applied to trees of 

 various c^enera, producing wood of different colours, 

 and only agreeing in the common qualities of great 

 compactness, weight, and durability. Ebony was 

 much more in use and esteem formerly than it is 

 now. When good, it is very valuable for the pur- 

 poses to which it is applied, not being liable to 

 shrink or warp. It does not, however, hold glue 

 so well as mahogany ; and it is apt to be imitated 

 by less valuable woods stained black. 



In his Journal, Bishop Heber describes the Ebony 

 tree of Ceylon as a magnificent forest tree, with a 

 tall, black, slender stem, spotted with white. A great 

 deal of the furniture in Ceylon is made of ebony. 

 At Fonthill Abbey there were some splendid ebony 

 chairs, carved in the most elaborate manner, and of 

 prodigious weight, which were said to have be- 

 longed to Cardinal Wolsey ; and there were formerly 

 some similar chairs in the Round Tower of Windsor 

 Castle. 



Lignumvilee, 



