30 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



of the wood is beautifully figured with wavy, curly grain, and when stained 

 and well polished is a good substitute for mahogany. In America it is 

 employed in this manner for doors and general trimming for hotels and 

 other bmldings. In that country it is also used for floors, for which it is 

 admirably adapted. It is remarkable that it is not used for this purpose 

 in the United Kingdom, as it makes a very fine flooring, both as regards 

 appearance and durabiUty. In America, ply-work has of late years 

 consumed large quantities. Other varieties of birch are also used in the 

 same manner both in this country and in America. Amongst these 

 Holtzapffel mentions the following : " Betula excelsa, also called yellow 

 birch, has wood much like Betula lenta, and B. nigra is also much esteemed. 

 B. papyracea, paper or canoe birch, is employed by the North American 

 Indians in constructing their portable canoes. B. bhojpiiftra is a Hima- 

 layan species of which the bark is used for writing upon, and for making 

 the snakes of hookahs." 



" The bark of the paper birch, and, to a less extent, that of other 

 species, is as important to the inhabitants of Canada as that of the common 

 birch is to those of Northern Europe. Canoes and lodges are covered 

 with large sheets of bark ; it is placed on shingled roofs under the shingles, 

 to prevent the water from coming through ; and very ornamental boxes, 

 baskets, and other articles are made from it by the Indians. It also 

 serves as a writing material, and I have a clearly written letter from 

 Professor Elrod, sent me by him when, making an expedition in Montana, 

 he ran out of paper. (Elwes and Henry, Trees of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, p. 994.) 



There is little doubt that the birch planks and boards from America 

 are the produce of all the different varieties mixed indiscriminately, and 

 it may also be the case with the Canadian, as it is doubtful if even experts 

 can certainly discriminate between the wood of the different sorts. 



British and Continental grown trees are much smaller than Canadian, 

 American, and Japanese. Most of the former is much lighter in colour, 

 though Holtzapffel says that the Russian wood is of a full yellow colour. 

 Three-ply and other veneer in which this bright-coloured wood has been 

 used has lately been imported. A considerable quantity of birch is 

 received from Sweden and Norway in small sizes and sawn squares for 

 various trades. Perhaps the largest demand is for short pieces, about 

 3 inches square and 6 feet long, which are used for placing in the brick- 

 work of buildings to support the scaffolding. These are called putlogs 

 and are mostly imported from Cristiansund. All sizes are employed for 

 brush-making, and a moderate supply for staves and box-boards is greatly 

 in demand. 



Holtzapffel notes that the wood is not very durable, and adds, " the 

 bark of the birch tree is remarkable for being harder and more durable 



