CANADIAN TIMBER TREES. 33 
resembles it in most of its qualities. From the bark is extracted an excellent 
cathartic. Iam not aware to what extent walnut timber is exported, but I 
believe, that were its qualities better known in the mother country and 
throughout the world, it would be more highly appreciated. It does not work 
quite so easily as mahogany, but may be brought to a smoother surface, and 
it shrinks very little. Bark used in dying. Sap saccharine. 
Specific gravity 0.426; weight of cubic foot 26 lbs. 
Outside wood contains 4.42 per cent. potash ; inside wood 1.42 per cent. 
Value for heating purposes 51. 
12. Cepar. Thuja occidentalis. 
Nat. Ord. Conifere. 
The species of cedar occurring in Canada and commonly ealled the white cedar, 
forming the “cedar swamps.” It grows also on cool rocky banks. Tree, 20 to 
50 feet high, straight with recurved branches, yielding a pungent aromatic oil; 
wood, light and soft and coarse grained, but exceedingly durable. It is much 
used in the framework of buildings, and the upper timbers of ships. When set in 
the ground as posts for fences or gates, &., it is almost indestructible; and is most 
extensively employed for such purposes. For the same reason it is used for 
railway ties, but is objectionable on account of its softness and openness of fibre, 
preventing the firm adhesion of the spike. It is much esteemed for making split 
laths—known as cypress laths, 
Specific gravity 0.453; weight of eubic foot 26 lbs. 
Value for heating purposes 51. 
13. Cuerry. Padus (Cerasus?) serotina. 
Nat. Ord. Rosacee. Sub. Ord. Amygdalee. 
A fine large tree, growing sometimes to the size of 20 or 24 inches, but more 
frequently half that size. Grows commonly in all woods. It yields a hard close- 
grained timber, of a pale red-brown, and is valuable to the cabinet maker; when 
stained with lime, and oiled or varnished, it closely resembles mahogany. Is 
much used for common and best furniture, and chairs, &e. The Spanish American 
cherry-tree is very elastic, and is used for felueca masts, The bark has a strong 
bitter taste, and has been used in me@icine as a tonic. 
Specifie gravity 0.56 ; weight of cubic foot 84 lbs. 
14, CuEsnur. Castanea vesca. 
Nat. Ord. Cupulifere. 
A large tree, mean height 80 feet; diameter about 3 feet ; is very long-lived and 
durable. Occurs in rocky or hilly woods; common. Flowers in June and July. 
It yields a light, coarse-grained wood, not unlike the white oak. The young 
wood is very elastic, and is used for the rings of ships’ masts, hoops for tubs, 
churns, &ic., and the old wood is considered to be rather brittle. The nuts are 
much esteemed, and those of the American variety are smaller, but much sweeter 
than the European. The wood is strong, elastic, light and very durable; well 
adapted for posts set in the earth, de. A post of chesnut has been taken up out 
of the ground after having staid there 40 years, Chesnut is easily distinguishable. 
Vou. VI. c 
