ACLE ALDER. 143 



orange Rings wide and distinct. Springwood very broad with 

 numerous large vessels towards its inner margin and few small 

 ones, scattered, or in segments of circles, four or more together, 

 towards its outer part. Medullary rays distinctly visible to the 

 naked eye, with a satiny lustre. Pith-mass very large. The 

 wood contains vessels, tracheids, wood-fibres, fibre-cells, and 

 parenchyma. It is moderately heavy, tolerably hard, somewhat 

 difficult to split, and of a beautiful satin-like lustre. It is dur- 

 able, and is appreciated by cabinet-makers ; but the tree is 

 mainly grown for shade. A native of Japan and Northern China, 

 it is grown for ornament in England and the Eastern United 

 States. It is used for charcoal in Europe. 



Akagashi (Qu^rcus acuta Thunb. : Order Cupulfferce). South 

 Japan. The dark red-brown, very hard and heavy wood of an 

 Evergreen Oak, which with that of some allied species, such as 

 the grey-white Shiragashi (Q. vibrayeana Tr. and Tav.) is used 

 in boat and waggon building. 



Akashide (Carplnus laxifldra Bl. ; Order Cupuliferce). Japan. 

 Height 40 ft. ; diam. 1 ft. It is used for furniture, waggon- 

 building, agricultural implements and firewood. 



Alder, Common or Black (Alnus glutindsa Medic. : Order 

 Betuldcece). French "aune," Ital. "alno" or "ontano," Span. 

 "alano" or "aliso," Germ, "schwarz Erie" or "Else," Russ. 

 "olse." S.G. fresh 901, dry 551. W 5062 when green, 

 50 34 when dry. Strength, compared to Oak, 80 ; stiffness, 63. 

 Height 20 40, very rarely 70 80 feet ; diam. 1 2 feet. No 

 heart-wood. Wood white when alive, red when cut, becoming 

 pinkish-brown. Rings rather broad, not very distinct, waving 

 inwards where they cross the few, lighter-coloured, medullary 

 rays. Brown pith-flecks are frequent. Pith mass triangular with 

 rounded angles, from which the medullary rays radiate in 

 curves. The wood contains vessels, tracheids, wood-fibres, fibre- 

 cells, and parenchyma ; but the vessels are small, few, and uni- 

 formly distributed. It is soft, easily split, rather light, with a 

 smooth, fine grain, and lustrous. It does not warp or splinter. 

 When kept wholly submerged it is very durable, but not at all so 



