Rods and Rod Material. 139 



attains a diameter of from ten to twelve inches. The 

 wood is white throughout. Its leaves are from two to 

 three inches long, alternate, a lengthened oval in shape, 

 finely-toothed, veined on the under side, and when be- 

 ginning to open are covered with a thick down. This 

 subsequently disappears, leaving them perfectly smooth 

 on both sides. The flowers are white, rather large, and 

 disposed in panicles at the ends of the branches. The 

 fruit is globular, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, 

 red when immature, dark purple when ripe, and covered 

 with a bloom. 



The foregoing is believed to include most of the ma- 

 terials which have been used for fly-rod making in this 

 country. The Alaska cedar has recently received some 

 attention for this purpose. I have seen but one speci- 

 men of it, and that in the square. It was white in color 

 and seemed to be somewhat heavier and harder than Flor- 

 ida cedar. It is reputed to have the same action, and some- 

 what greater strength. 



Reports of rods made all in one piece, without any 

 joints, from a stick split from a small, tough spruce, have 

 reached me, and these were said to be excellent. But I 

 have never seen them. 



ADDITIONAL WOODS. 



The following woods would appear well worthy of 

 the attention of the rod -maker. The information is 

 collated from "Timber and Timber Trees" (Laslett, 

 London, 1875) and "The Forests and Gardens of South 

 India" (Cleghorn, London, 1859). The author of the 

 former was timber inspector to the Admiralty, which 



