CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 7 



grain. It has a somewhat soft yet tough surface, which is rubber-like 

 and resilient, so that a light blow causes a temporary depression un- 

 accompanied by any considerable permanent indentation. It is used in 

 the manufacture of clogs, soles of shoes, and toys, and also in turnery 

 and the cheaper forms of cabinet work. Being extremely durable when 

 wholly submerged, it has provided the material for drain pipes, sluice- 

 gates, and so forth ; in fact, Holtzapffel states that the piles of the Rialto 

 at Venice were composed of this wood. In America it has been used in 

 the manufacture of combs. Alder charcoal has long been employed in the 

 manufacture of gunpowder. Recently it has been used in large quantities 

 for ply-veneer of all kinds, and especially for trunks, tea-boxes, packing- 

 cases, and the like. Still more recently such ply-veneer has been forth- 

 coming from Japan, where wood of excellent quality, though slightly 

 redder than European alder, is found. Since its utilisation in this con- 

 nection there has been a good demand for alder, which, however, is a 

 serviceable wood for which much profitable employment could be found 

 if its proper uses were more studied. Very handsome card-cases and 

 cigarette cases, for instance, have been made from dark-grained, richly 

 figured, gnarled pieces. 



The annual rings are distinct in cross-section ; the pores are invisible 

 to the naked eye, as are most of the medullary rays, but some of the latter 

 aggregated form dull-edged " false rays." Pith flecks are present. 



Alder, Formosan. Alnus maritima, Nutt., var. formosana, Burhill. 

 Weight, 33 lbs. Formosa. 



The wood is of a light-yellow straw colour ; it has a bright sheen, and 

 takes a smooth surface. It is streaked with thin, reddish Unes caused by 

 the medullary rays, which show very strongly on the radial section, as in 

 oak. It has a very good texture, and gives every promise of standing well 

 without liability to warp or twist. It has never been imported into 

 England, but would be very useful for a great number of purposes. 

 Mitsui & Co. report that an available supply of one milUon and a half 

 cubic feet exists. 



The pores, which are very numerous, are small, and the medullary 

 rays are strong and clearly defined, with a nrnnber of secondary smaller 

 rays between the stronger and principal ones. 



Alerce. Fitzroya patagonica, Hook. Weight, 28 lbs. South America. 



This wood has the characteristic grain of the thuya and cypress, and 

 is of about the same weight. In colour, however, it is of a reddish hue, 

 deepening with exposure to Ught and air to a brilliant rich, warm red, with 

 alternate Hghter and darker streaks. It is easy to work, and is capable 



