312 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



extensively used in America, and, to a more limited extent, in the United 

 Kingdom for ply construction. A few trees are found possessing a curly 

 grain; they are generally cut into veneer, on a rotary veneer cutter 

 round the log, producing a marking which is called " blister figure." 

 These figury veneers are used for panels for decorative work in railway 

 coaches, state-rooms and saloons for yachts and steamers, and for general 

 cabinet work. 



The numerous pores are very small and regular. The medullary 

 rays are unifonn, distinct, and parallel, showing in small flecks on the 

 radial section in a very even and artificial-looking pattern. 



Willow, European. Salix ccerulea, Smith ; S. alba, Linn. Weight, 

 24 lbs. 12 oz. Europe. 



The well-known " bat- willow " is famous wherever the EngUsh 

 language is spoken, and is so famiUar that it seems almost superfluous 

 to give a description. Although it always commands such a high price 

 for bat-blades, and the demand is so large, it possesses many valuable 

 characteristics which should encourage every forester to plant the tree 

 wherever it can thrive. For bat-blades trees have been known to realise 

 as much as los. 6d. per foot cube or more. No other wood has been 

 found which can be used to such advantage for artificial limbs. The 

 tree trunk itself, or squares sawn out if the size be large enough, can be 

 shaped and hollowed to the form of the limb, and although during the 

 process, or when drying, it does occasionally spHt, it will generally stand. 

 No other wood has been found that will satisfactorily pass this test. 

 A considerable quantity was imported from America during the war. 

 The American artificers who dming the war were in charge of the 

 artificial limb factories at Roehampton called the wood they used 

 " red willow." I have been unable to trace the actual species, but 

 I cannot distinguish it from the EngUsh bat willow. Owing to the 

 wood denting instead of sphtting when struck by heavy objects, it 

 is valuable for linings for carts, barrows, brakes for railway and other 

 waggons. It is especially good for the last-named purpose, as it does 

 not fire so readily as other woods by the friction of the wheels. Elwes 

 and Henry say that the best class of bat-blades is obtained from Salix 

 ccerulea, S. alba producing blades of an inferior kind. The report adds : 

 " G. W. Newton states that George Stephenson had a high opinion of 

 wiUow as forming durable blocks for paving. Gorrie states that ' in 

 roofing, it has been known to stand one hundred years as couples, and 

 with the exception of about half an inch on the outside, the wood has been 

 found as fresh at the end of that period as to be fit for boat-building.' 

 Boards of willow were laid for floors in 1700." 



Willow has been tried for aircraft construction at the Royal Aircraft 



