2i6 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



Japan, being foxmd from the southern extremity of Kyushu to the 

 southern portion of Hokkaido." It is used in Japan for building purposes. 



The wood is softer and Hghter in weight than Baltic pine, and has the 

 characteristic mOdness of Canadian yeUow pine (Pinus Strohus), while 

 the grain is also similar to that wood ; it is, in fact, something between 

 the two. It is milder and softer than the Siberian pine {Pinus mand- 

 schurica, Rupr.). There is apparently a very large supply, but it is 

 exceedingly difficult to obtain in clean lengths free from knots. It has 

 been found to yield good results when used for the sounding-boards of 

 \-iolins. 



Supplies of this wood have reached England mixed with white pine, 

 and it has been found difficult to discriminate between the two. 



The pores are verj' close indeed and iU-defined. The annual rings are 

 close and regular. 



Pine, Kauri, or Cowdie Pine. Agathis australis, Sahsb. ; Dammara 

 australis. Lamb. Weight, 30-39 lbs. (Baterden). New Zealand. 



The kaiui or cowdie pine is a native of, and is found only in New 

 Zealand. It is most plentiful about the middle part of the northern 

 island, where there are very extensive forests of it, but it is only mode- 

 rately abundant a httle farther south, and towards WeUington and in 

 the Middle Island it is only occasionally seen. Kauri pine, when used 

 for masts, yards, etc., is unrivalled in excellence, as it not only possesses 

 the requisite dimensions, lightness, elasticity, and strength, but is much 

 more durable than any other pine, and wiU stand a ver\- large amount 

 of work before it is thorough^ worn out. 



The duramen, or heart-wood, is of a yellowish-white or straw colour, 

 moderately hard for pine, strong, clean, fine, close, and straight in the 

 grain. It has a very pleasant and agreeable odour when worked, planes 

 up well and leaves a beautiful silky lustre upon the surface, resembling 

 in some degree the plainest satinwood. It shrinks very little, and stands 

 well after seasoning ; further, it takes a good poUsh. It is therefore 

 valuable for conversion into planks and boards, and is very suitable for 

 cabin and other fitments in ships, for joiners' work generally, and for 

 ornamental purposes. It is also employed for the decks of yachts, as, 

 from the regularity of its grain and the absence of knots, it has a better 

 appearance than the Danzig pine that is commonly used. It also wears 

 more evenly, and does not require the reconcihng or planing over which 

 is frequently found necessary if other woods are worked. 



The kauri pine is generally sound and free from the defects common 

 to many other descriptions of timber ; it very rarely has more than a 

 shght heart-shake, even in old trees ; the star- and cup-shakes are also 

 very rare. It is therefore a remarkably solid timber, and ma^' be con- 



