USES OF WOOD. 225 



that thej were as f resli as if thej had only been 

 cut from the woods a few weeks before. Mar- 

 vellous, indeed, are these facts. 



We could go on voluminously to record facts 

 corroborative of the wonderful quality and endu- 

 rance of Oak, instancing attested cases in which 

 the doors of public buildings, made ten, twelve, 

 and even fifteen hundred years ago, were still 

 almost as good as when made ; but our allotted 

 space will not allow of the continuation of this 

 subject, interesting though it be, for the claims 

 of other trees to discussion must be con- 

 sidered. 



A tree whose wood admits more readily than 

 that of many other trees of being stained black in 

 imitation of Ebony, is the well-known and fruit- 

 ful Pear (Pyrus communis, ' common ' indeed, but 

 beautiful). Naturally the colour of Pear wood is 

 slightly reddish. It is finely and closely grained, 

 strong and heavy. In past times it was con- 

 sidered of value for wood-engravings, but never 

 had the same estimation as the inimitable Box, 

 being used only for the coarser designs. For other 

 purposes also it is employed by the turner and the 



Q 



