FORESTS AND FOREST TREES. 



177 



there were exhibited eight transverse sections of trunks of 

 the Pinus silvestris, which I have tabulated thus : 



Of the Pinus silvestris it is reported by Dr Blomqvist 

 that it is not only the tree most extensively spread over 

 Finland, but it is also the one most valuable in an econo- 

 mical point of view. It constitutes the most important 

 article of exportation, and is employed in the most varied 

 applications shipbuilding and house building, the fabri- 

 cation of machines, and of utensils of every description. 



* In regard to these details, and others which will be given in regard to other kinds 

 of trees, it may be mentioned that no attention was given to select trees of special size ; 

 that the Finnish measurement employed is that of the foot of ten decimal inches, equal 

 to 0-2969 metres ; that the transverse sections were made at heights ranging from three 

 to five feet from the ground ; and that the diameter reported was measured while the 

 tree was yet green, and no allowance was made for shrink iug, which may have since 

 occurred. At the same place, at the same time, there was exhibited a round table, 

 formed of polished wood of the principal kinds of trees growing wild in Finland. In 

 the centre was a transverse section of the Pinus sttvestris, 216 years of age, men- 

 tioned as having been supplied from Evois. An exterior band of blackwood was made 

 of bog wood taken from an oak trunk found in Lake Bjornsjon, of which mention will 

 afterwards be made, and in intermediate bands were arranged in succession polished 

 specimens of wood yielded by the following kinds of indigenous trees : 



1. Prunus padus L. 



2. Betula alba L. 



3. Pyrus malus L. 



4. Acer Platanoides L. 



5. Pyrus communis L. 



6. Betula alba L. 



7. Alnus incana Willd. 



8. Populus tremula L. 



9. Aesculus hippocastauuui L. 

 10. Betula alba L. 



11. Salix caprea L. 



12. Pinus abies L. 



13. Pinus silvestris L. 



14. Juniperus communis L. 



15. Larix sibirica Led. 



16. Quercus pedunculata Ehrh. 



17. Ulmus montana L. 



18. Fraxinus excelsior L. 



19. Sorbus aucuparia L. 



N 



