80 TIMBER 
allowed free development, and is well known in London 
where it appears to thrive on the soot-laden atmos- 
phere. The wood is of little value; it is smooth in 
grain, light-brown in colour, but not durable. When 
cut on the medullary rays it shows a pretty beech-like 
figure to which the Americans, when exporting their 
variety of Western Plane, attach the fancy name of Lace- 
wood. Shipments of this Western Plane were made 
from the United States some years ago to Great Britain, 
in the shape of converted boards. Being a rather 
attractive wood it was tried by the cabinet trade, but, 
owing to its liability to twist and warp and its bad 
working qualities, had but a short season of success. 
Poplar.—Three species of this tree are fairly plenti- 
ful in Great Britain and other European countries—the 
Black, Lombardy, and Aspen. They produce a grey- 
white, soft, but tenacious wood, which, durable enough 
when kept dry, is not, however, held in any great esteem. 
Its chief uses are for cart-bottoms and similar purposes,. 
where its non-splitting qualities are appreciated. Ship- 
ments of an American species have been occasionally 
received in the markets of the United Kingdom under 
the name of Cotton-wood, but with little encouragement ; 
Germany, however, it is understood, consumes fairly 
large quantities. 
Beech.—Said to be a native of Europe, but is not 
only abundant in this Continent but plentiful in Asia 
and Africa. It is of free growth in the United Kingdom, 
particularly favouring the chalk districts of Bucking- 
hamshire, where the beech-woods are famous. It is 
one of the most attractive trees of the woodlands, with 
its lofty growth, sweeping branches, and _ beautiful 
spring and autumn-tinted foliage. The beech produces 
a whitish-brown wood, with a tinge of pink which 
appears after it is sawn. It has a silky grain, cleaves 
