io 4 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



the branches, or from the spurs of the roots, which are 

 often very large. 



The wood is of a pale reddish-brown colour, straight- 

 grained, moderately hard and compact, tough, strong, 

 and of fair durability. Being remarkable for its elas- 

 ticity, planks cut from it may, when steamed, be bent 

 into almost any form or curve, no matter how difficult, 

 without danger of breaking or splintering them. This 

 characteristic renders it especially valuable for ship- 

 building purposes. 



This wood opens very sound ; and as it shrinks but 

 little, and almost without splitting, during the process 

 of seasoning, there is nothing to prevent its extensive 

 use in railway carriage-building, civil architecture, and 

 generally in the domestic arts. I have known it to 

 stand the test of many years 7 exposure in the open 

 without being more than very slightly deteriorated 

 thereby. It will therefore be safe to say that it is by 

 far the best foreign Oak timber, of straight growth and 

 large dimensions, for constructive purposes that has ever 

 been imported. 



The American White Oak timber, introduced in 1861 

 by Mr. Donald McKay, of Boston, U.S.A., was used in 

 the royal dockyards as a substitute for British Oak, 

 chiefly for beams, keelsons, and other works requiring 

 large scantlings. At the moment of its introduction, 

 however, the great change took place by which iron was 

 substituted for wood in ship-building ; consequently the 

 demand for it fell, and, owing to the large stock of other 

 woods at the time upon hand, it was difficult to employ 

 it profitably. Ultimately it passed away in the repairs 

 of ships and some minor services. Very little of this 

 wood has ever been placed upon the London market for 

 employment in the private trade. 



