100 FAMILIAR TREES 



five to seven pairs of secondary veins. Their margin 

 is toothed, and they have conspicuous stipules ; but 

 it is, perhaps, their dark glossy green which is their 

 most immediately distinctive character. 



When in autumn the Alder-swamps are strewn 

 with the newly felled stems it will be seen that the 

 live wood of the tree is white, but that it becomes 

 red, as if with blood, where it is cut, and afterwards 

 fades to a permanent pale pink. It is soft, with short 

 fibres, giving it a homogeneous texture, and of mod- 

 erate density, and is of exceptional durability if kept 

 either perfectly dry or under water. It was used by 

 the ancients for boats, possibly "dug-out" canoes; 

 and Virgil stating that this tree formed the first 

 material so employed, Professor Martyn suggests that 

 a hollow Alder, falling into the stream on the banks 

 of which it grew, may have given to man the first 

 idea of a boat. Both Pliny and Vitruvius mention 

 its employment for piles, the former also stating that 

 it was used for water-pipes and for protecting river- 

 banks, and the, latter that the city of Ravenna was 

 founded upon piles of its wood. According to Evelyn 

 the celebrated bridge of the Rialto at Venice was 

 similarly founded; and even down to the present 

 day Alder -wood is used for piles in Holland. 



The Alder loses about a third of its weight and 

 a twelfth of its bulk in drying, but does not warp, so 

 that it is suitable for turnery, carving, cabinet-making, 

 clogs, sabots, and wooden platters. " Alder for shoes 

 do wise men choose," writes Mr. Kipling. It has also 

 been largely used for the staves of herring-barrels 

 and from its softness, which prevents it from splitting. 



