88 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL 
28. Ware Pine. Pinus strobus. 
Nat. Ord. Conifere. 
A fine, tall and handsome tree, oceurring in cool and damp woods, northwards ; 
attains frequently a height of from 120 to 160 feet, in a single straight column in 
the primitive forests, and is invaluable for its soft and light white or yellowish 
wood, which in large trunks is nearly free from resin. It is largely imported into 
England, where it is commonly called the “ Weymouth pine-” This is the most 
esteemed and generally useful variety of pine timber produced in this country, 
being admirably adapted for frames of buildings, bridges, and structures of all 
kinds. The large trunks are in great request for the mastsof ships. The facility 
with which this wood is wrought to the required forms constitutes, together with 
its durability, its chief value. It is imported into England both in the form of 
planks and logs, chiefly the latter, which are often more than 2 feet square and 50 
feet long. 
Specific gravity 0.46 ; weight of eubie foot 29 lbs. 
Value for heating purposes 45. 
29. Porrar. Populus canadensis. 
Nat. Ord. Salicacee. 
Called also cotton wood. A large tree, 80 feet high and upwards, occurring on 
the margins of lakes and streams. The timber is soft, light, easy to work, suited 
to carving, common turnery, and works not exposed to much wear. Is very durable 
when kept dry, and does not readily take fire. The wooden polishing wheels of 
the glass grinder are made of horizontal sections of the entire stem, about one 
inch thick, as from its sofiness it readily imbibes the polishing materiais. The 
seeds are clothed with a white, cotton like down, which gives name to the tree. 
Buds sealed against the frost and rains with resin. 
The well-known Lombardy poplar, Populus dilatata has been introduced from 
Europe as an ornamental tree, and is found in the vicinity of all old settlements. 
None of the species of poplars are fit for large timbers. 
Specific gravity 0.4; weight of cubic foot 25 Ibs. 
Value for heating purposes 52. 
30. SassarRas. Sassafras oficinale. 
Nat. Ord. Lauracee. 
Grows abundantly ia Canada andin the Western States. Waries in heicht from 
10 to 50 feet. Is of little value ss timber, but sometimes used for light ornamen- 
tal purposes on account of the fragrant odour. Every part of the tree has a 
pleasant fragrance, and a sweetish, aromatic taste, which is strongest in the bark 
of the root, These qualities depend upon an essential oil, which may be obtained . 
by distillation, and which is highly valued in medicine, acting as a stimulant to 
the circulation, especially of the, capillaries. 
Specific gravity 06; weight of cubic foot 37 lbs. 
Value for heating purposes 59. 
81. Sycamore. Platonws occidentalis. 
Nat. Ord. Platanacece. 
Called also plane-tree or bulton-wood, this latter nanie being derived from 
the shape of the heads of the flowers, which are produced in May. It oceurs om 
