244 WOODS OF COMMERCE. 



one or less than one to several to the inch. Though scarcely 

 visible in a transverse section, this beautiful figuring is seen on 

 all longitudinal or oblique sections, appearing on the planed 

 surface so like the light and shadow on an undulating surface 

 that it is difficult to believe it smooth. It is sometimes called 

 "Fiddle -backed Maple" from its resemblance to a variety of 

 Sycamore used for the backs of violins. 



Maple, Red (A. nibrum L.). Canada and Eastern United 

 States. Known also as "Soft, Swamp" or "Water Maple." 

 Height 7090 ft. ; diam. 34 ft. S.G. 618. W 38-5. R 811 

 kilos. Sapwood brownish-white with a small irregular brown or 

 reddish-brown heart, moderately heavy, hard and elastic, close- 

 grained, compact, taking a very smooth polish, not strong or 

 durable. Used in turnery, chair-making, for wooden dishes, 

 shovels, and other small ware. Occasionally curled, when it 

 is valued for gunstocks and for veneers. The bird's-eye figure 

 is rare in this species. This wood does not enter into American 

 export trade. 



Maple, Rock (A. barbdtum, Michx.). Eastern North America- 

 Also known as " Hard " or " Sugar Maple," and a variety as 

 "Black Maple." Height 50100 ft. or more; diam. 14 ft. 

 S.G. 691. W 43. E 1149 kilos. White when first cut, 

 becoming rosy on exposure, and, when seasoned ; sapwood 

 light yellowish ; heart brown, heavy, very hard, fine and close 

 in grain, compact, strong, tough, taking a fine polish, with a 

 satiny lustre. The most valuable species, but not durable if 

 exposed, requiring two or three years' seasoning. Used in New 

 England as an Oak-substitute, in preference to Beech, Birch or 

 Elm, for house-frames, ships' keels, axles, spokes, chairs and 

 other furniture, flooring and interior finish, wooden bowls, con- 

 sidered the best in the market, shoe-lasts, pegs, saddle-trees, 

 etc., and also for fuel. It is but little imported, except when 

 figured. " Blister " or " Landscape," " Bird's-eye " or " Pin " and 

 "Curly" or "Fiddleback" figures all occur in this species, the 

 first two being almost confined to it. The Blister figure is 

 produced by wart-like prominences on the wood beneath the 



