122 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



of a Dutch table of the late seventeenth century, which is to be seen 

 in the South Kensington Museiun. 



The pores are exceedingly small and scarce. The medullary rays are 

 hardly visible with the aid of the lens (i2 x ). My specimen displays on 

 the transverse grain extending at right angles to the concentric layers, 

 a very pretty marking which has an effect hke moire silk. Nothing can 

 be seen under the lens to explain this appearance. 



Lilac Tree. Syringa vulgaris. The British Isles. 



Mr. E. N. Kent, of Letchmore Heath, has had an auctioneer's or 

 chairman's table hammer made from a lilac tree growing in his grounds. 

 The wood is very firm and hard, and of excellent texture ; it much 

 resembles a slightly bleached tulip wood, or the more highly figured and 

 coloured pieces of real camphor-wood. It is rather darker than ohve 

 wood, with brighter mauve-coloured streaks, and is altogether a very 

 beautiful medium for inlay or turnery. 



The want of general knowledge of native-grown timbers is much to 

 be deplored, and this, in common with many other cases, illustrates how 

 little we know or value them. 



Lime. Tilia cordata, Miller. Weight, 37 lbs. 8 oz. Europe. 



" The wood is very hght-coloured, fine and close in the grain, and 

 when properly seasoned it is not liable to spUt or warp. It is nearly or 

 quite as soft as deal, and is used in the construction of pianofortes, harps, 

 and other musical instruments, and for the cutting-boards for curriers, 

 shoemakers, etc., as it does not draw or bias the knife in any direction 

 of the grain, nor injure its edges ; it turns very cleanly " (Holtzapffel). 



Limewood is well suited for carving; its smooth and even texture 

 makes it a good medium for this art. A fine example may be seen in the 

 Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, where are two beautifully 

 carved oval plaques of the period of Henri IV., of the late sixteenth 

 or early seventeenth century. 



A thin, hght concentric band may or may not mark the annual 

 layer of growth. The pores are very small and obscure. The numerous 

 parallel meduUary rays are fine and are clearly marked. 



Locust. (Possibly) Hymenoe Courbaril, Linn. Weight, 33-57 lbs. 

 (Stone and Freeman). St. Vincent. 



The authentic specimen of a wood of this name in my collection is 

 of a bright colour with lighter streaks, of hard texture and close grain, 

 and resembles many specimens of so-called " satinee " seen in France. 

 It takes a beautiful smooth surface from the tool, and has a glossy, lustrous 

 sheen. In appearance it is quite different from the supposed specimen 



