54 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



for pencil-making. This very fragrant timber (heart-wood) varies in 

 colour from yellowish to purphsh red, often recalling the tints of faded 

 rose petals. Under the plane it 3delds a surface rivalling in smoothness 

 that of marble, and in this possibly surpassing any other commercial 

 wood. As it is soft and easily cut, and has a regular and even grain in all 

 directions, it is eminently fitted also for carving. Pencil cedar has been 

 used for panelling and decorative work, and in times past for many well- 

 appointed buildings. A superb example of work in this wood is to be 

 seen in the Reception HaU of the Skinners' Company in Dowgate HiU, 

 which was executed shortly after the great fire of London (1666). Its 

 fragrant scent is preserved to the present day, and is noticeable when 

 one enters the Hall. Another old building in Coleman Street, pulled 

 down by Messrs. CoUs & Sons about 1902, contained some handsome 

 panelling in pencil cedar, as well as two very fine carved mantelpieces 

 and overmantels, aU in Jacobean style. Some of these panels of sound, 

 clean timber measured 2 feet in width. 



When used out of doors in contact with the soil, the wood is extremely 

 durable, and was formerly used for posts, shipbuilding, and so forth ; but 

 the southern-grown pencil cedar is now far too costly to be used for 

 purposes other than the making of pencils, and, to a limited extent, for 

 furniture and decorative work, linings of cabinets and cases (in order to 

 keep moths at bay, or for its aromatic scent). 



The annual rings are distinct, -but the medullary rays are invisible, 

 and the resin passages are lacking. 



Cedar, Poet Orford. Cupressus Lawsoniana, Murr. ; Chamaecyparis 

 Lawsoniana, Sarj. Weight, 33 lbs. 5 oz. Oregon, California. 

 In England this tree is familiar under the name of Lawson's cj^ress. 

 In Oregon and California, as the trees often attain a height of 200 feet 

 and a diameter of 12 feet even above the dilated base of the trunk, timber 

 of large size is obtainable in the form of long boards or planks, free from 

 all defects. The wood is light yellow or nearly white, with a glossy, 

 satiny sheen darkening on exposure, and with a close, compact but rather 

 soft grain. It is difficult, though possible, to produce a smooth surface, 

 on account of a certain gumminess or toughness of the grain. The 

 adhesive contents of the wood dog the tool so that it must be continually 

 sharpened, otherwise the fibres are liable to be torn out. It is very strong 

 for its weight, is straight-grained, stands well under all conditions, and is 

 exceedingly durable. The wood is very fragrant and is stated to keep 

 clothes-moths at bay. I have a wardrobe the linings and drawers of 

 which are made of this cedar, and I regard it as a very great luxury. The 

 delicate and agreeable scent appears as strong as when the wardrobe was 

 first made, about eight years ago (1919). 



