232 STUDIES OF TREES 



The best grades of figured red gum resemble Circassian 



walnut, but the latter has much larger pores unevenly 



distributed and is less cross-grained than red gum. 



The wood is used for finishing, flooring, furniture, veneers, 



slack cooperage, boxes, and gun stocks. 



5. Black or sweet birch, Fig. 151. Rays variable in size 



FIG. 152. Maple. (Magnified 25 times,) 



but all rather indistinct. Color brown, tinged with red, 



often deep and handsome. Wood heavy, hard, and strong, 



straight-grained, readily worked. Is darker in color 



and has less prominent rays than maple. 



The wood is used for furniture, cabinet work, finishing and 



distillation. 



6. Cottonwood. Rays extremely fine and scarcely visible 



even under lens. Color pale dull brown or grayish brown. 



