BOIS RIVIERE BOX. 173 



" Smooth -grained and proper for the turner's trade, 

 Which curious hands may carve, and steel with ease invade." 



(Dryden's translation.) 



Invaluable for mathematical instruments, the chief use of Box 

 since the 15th century has been for wood- engraving, for which 

 purpose it is chiefly imported from Abasia in Circassia and from 

 Odessa in billets 3 8 ft. long and 3 12 in. across. In spite of 

 the advance of other methods of engraving, Box is so unequalled 

 for this purpose that careful search is being made for any wood 

 likely to approach it in suitability. (See p. 103 supra). The largest 

 number of box-trees in Europe are in the mixed forests of Ligny 

 and of St. Claude on the Jura. At the latter place the wood, 

 which is not of large dimensions, is turned into small boxes, 

 beads, spoons, forks, etc. 



In Australia the name Box is applied to a great number of 

 Eucalypti, such as E. hemiphldia [See Canary Wood], E. largi- 

 fldrens [See Gum, Slaty], E. leucdxylon [See Ironbark], E. odordta 

 [See Peppermint], E. stelluldta, E. Stuartidna, and E. vimindlis 

 [See Gum, Manna]. In America the name is applied to Cornus 

 fldrida L., the American Dogwood, an abundant wood fitted only 

 for coarse engraving ; in the Bahamas to Vitex umbrdsa Sw. 



Box, Bastard is also a name of wide application in Australia, 

 sometimes referring to Eucalyptus largiftdrens [See Gum, Slaty], 

 E. langifdlia [See Woolly Butt], E. microthtca [See Box, Dwarf], 

 E.polydnthema [See Box, Red], E.punddta [See Leather-jacket], 

 or E. teretic6rnis [See Gum, Slaty] ; but chiefly to Tristdnia con- 

 ftrta, T. laurina, and Eucalyptus goniocdlyx. 



Tristdnia con/trta R. Br. (Order Myrtdcew), otherwise "Brisbane, 

 Brush, Red," or "White Box," or "Brisbane Mahogany." Aborig. 

 " Tubbil-pulla." North-eastern Australia. Height 80120 ft. ; 

 diam. 1 3 ft. W 59 64. Sometimes prettily grained, strong 

 and durable, but warping very much unless carefully seasoned, 

 dressing well and not attacked by termites. Used in ship- 

 building, bridges, etc. 



T. laurina R. Br., of Eastern Australia, known also as " Water 

 Gum, Beech," and "Swamp Mahogany," is a smaller tree. Height 



