CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 229 



The pores are very small and somewhat obscure. The medullary 

 rays, though numerous, are so faint as to be scarcely visible with the 

 lens (12 X ). 



PoHUTUKAWA. Metrosideros tomentosa, A. Cunn. Weight, 54-64 lbs. 

 New Zealand. 



According to the Board of Agriculture, New Zealand, the wood is 

 " deep red in colour, heavy and compact and of great strength, exhibits 

 great power of resistance to the teredo. Procurable in short lengths and 

 up to 24 inches in width. Used for piles, stringers, bridge and wharf 

 planking, and mining-timbers." 



Poplar, English. Populus alba and P. nigra, Linn. Weight, 35 lbs. 

 4 oz. United Kingdom. 



This is a valuable timber, which is far too little used or appreciated 

 in this country. The colour ranges from a whitish-yellow to grey ; in 

 some cases it is nearly pure white and compares favourably with rock 

 maple. It is capable of a very smooth surface from the tool, and 

 possesses a fine, close, hard, tough texture which especially fits it for a 

 great many important purposes. It is easy to work, and according to 

 Holtzapffel it is " suited for carving, common turnery, and works not 

 exposed to much wear." It has also been used largely by toy-makers, 

 and to a certain extent for cabinet work, and for brake blocks for rail- 

 way waggons. 



The famous " Inlaid room " at Sizergh Castle, Westmoreland, which 

 dates from the sixteenth century, is of oak inlaid with poplar and bog oak. 

 The white poplar wood against the contrasting black of the bog oak has 

 a most effective appearance, set as it is in a groundwork of English oak. 

 A reproduction of the room can be seen in the South Kensington Museum. 



During and since the war this wood has been used somewhat exten- 

 sively for the spars and ribs of aeroplanes and for other purposes' in 

 aeronautical construction, one pilot at least considering it as good as, 

 if not better than, any other timber. It has also been used as ply-wood 

 in the same kind of work. 



Both pores and medullary rays are so exceedingly fine that th(,y are 

 difficult to see even with the lens (12 x ). 



Poplar, Grey. Populus canescens, Sm. Weight, 31 lbs. Europe. 



This is a very fine timber of much more value than it is popularly 

 supposed to possess. The colour is a light yellow with some dark streaks. 

 It takes a very smooth surface from the tool and possesses a tough, close 

 texture comparable to the medium varieties of maple. Its uses might 



