40 HOUGH'S AMERICAN WOODS. 



fibrous strips hanging loosely in abundance about the bases of the 

 trunks. 



HABITAT. From the vicinity of Sitka, Alaska, southward on the 

 islands, and in the coast region of British Columbia and along the 

 Cascade Mountains of Washington arid Oregon, as far as Mt. Jefferson. 

 On the islands of Alaska and in British Columbia where it attains its 

 largest dimensions it is found from the sea-level to an altitude of from 

 two to three thousand feet, but in Washington and Oregon it is found 

 only on certain mountains which it ascends to an altitude of four or 

 five thousand feet. 



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. Wood light but moderately hard and 

 brittle, of exceedingly fine close grain, with a pleasant resinous odor, 

 easily worked and very durable in contact with the soil. It is of a 

 clear light yellowish color with thin lighter colored sap-wood. Specific 

 Gravity, 0.4782; Percentage of Ash, 0.34; Relative Approximate 

 Fuel Value, 0.4766; Coefficient of Elasticity, 102881; Modulus of 

 Rupture, 801; Resistance to Longitudinal Pressure, 455; Resistance 

 to Indentation, 101 ; Weight of a Cubic Foot in Pounds, 29.80. 



USES. One of the most valuable of the American timbers, owing 

 to its peculiar qualities as above noted, its great durability, etc. 



For cabinet making it has few, if any, equals among our woods, 

 and is likewise most useful for boat buiding, for furniture, interior 

 finishing of houses, etc. It has been exported to China in considerable 

 quantities where it is used as a substitute for Satin-wood. 



The tree is occasionally grown, in both Europe and America, for 

 ornamental purposes, under the name of Thujopsis horealis, and many 

 nursery varieties due to abnormal form, color of foliage, etc., have 

 originated. 



NOTE. Upon examining our specimen sections of this wood one is 

 impressed with its wonderfully slow growth. This tree grew on the 

 slopes of Mt. Hood, and was 18J in. in diameter inside the bark. A 

 careful count of its annual rings, which could only be made with the 

 aid of a magnifier, revealed the astonishing fact that it was four hun- 

 dred and twenty-seven years in growing, and yet was perfectly sound 

 to the pith of the center. 



