THE FRIAR, HIS DOG AND THE IRON CROSS 



By ALICE SPENCER 



I^-^IHEN science tackles some of the problems of wood 

 Ivl/ structure the freaks of nature not infrequently 

 have the best of the argument. One of the most 

 difficult things for the scientist to determine is the 

 cause of such peculiarities as are shown in the accom- 

 panying illustrations. These freaks are shown with pho- 

 tographic accuracy and have not been retouched or al- 

 tered in any way. 



In the first picture is shown a formation found in a 

 poplar board at a Cincinnati upholstery furniture fac- 

 tory. The friar here represented in speaking likeness is 

 considered one of the most interesting freaks of wood 

 structure ever discovered. In the second picture is 

 shown a curiously wrought animal face which might be 

 taken for that of a dog or a hog. For the purpose of 

 classification in a family group it is here chosen to des- 

 ignate it as the Friar's dog. This formation was found 

 in a board cut from a new species of dogwood which was 



THE IRON CROSS 

 Perhaps the suspicious will think the discovery of this freak structure 

 indicates that German spies are endeavoring to force American forests to 

 supply iron crosses for military decorations. Tlie suspicion is groundless. 



recently discovered by Secretary R. S. Kellogg, of the 

 National Lumber Manufacturers' Association. 



The singular wood structure shown in the third pic- 

 ture comes from Greenfield, Ohio, and has been the sub- 

 ject of considerable speculation among scientists to 

 whom it has been submitted. The exact cause of the 

 formation has not been determined, but the best opinion 

 seems to be that it resulted from the stripping of the 

 bark of the young tree on four sides. The removal of 

 the bark is su])posed to have caused a discoloration 

 which ultimately reached to the very center of the grow- 

 ing tnmk, while those portions of the tree where the 

 bark had not been damaged retained their natural color- 



THE HOODED FRIAR 

 This freak formation was found in a poplar board and shows the extent 

 to which nature will go in varying the monotony of everyday tree growing. 



ing. During its years of growth the tree apparently 

 healed the outer scar by supplying a new covering of 

 bark. This gave the exterior a normal appearance, but 

 left the iron cross in the center for discovery when the 

 trunk should reach a sawmill. 



THE FRIAR'S DOG 

 Those who think this animal looks as much like a hog as a dog must 

 remember that the board in which the picture was found was a piece of 

 dogwood. This circumstance should settle all disputes. 



in 



