294 WOODS OF COMMERCE. 



exposed ; rings marked by a fine line bending slightly outward at 

 the pith-rays; vessels evenly distributed (Figs. 59 and 60). 

 Used considerably for cigar and tobacco boxes, wooden bowls, 

 butchers' blocks, cooperage and blind-wood in cabinet work. The 

 cabinet-makers of Philadelphia object to the wood when in plank 

 from its tendency to warp ; but when well seasoned it stands well 



FIG. 60. Tangential section of Plane (Plr.ita.nut occidental it). 



and is imported into England for furniture. It is also cut radially 

 as veneers, the "felt" or "silver grain" produced by the pith- 

 rays being darker than the ground colour, which is just the 

 converse of the arrangement of tint in Oak. Plane makes good 

 fuel when dry, but the difficulty of splitting it hinders its use. 

 The Californian species (P. racemosa Xutt.) has very similar wood. 



By a tiresome confusion the name " Plane " is given in southern 

 Scotland to the wood of the Sycamore or Great Maple (Acer 

 Pseado-plata n us L. ). See Sycamore. 



Plum (Primus domt.*tita L.: Order Bosdcea). Western Asia, 



