INSCRIPTIONS BURIED IN WOOD. 



39 



4-5 inolies at the lower part. The manner in which this inscription has 

 been preserved and brought to light is in every respect most interesting. 

 The letters were cut through the bark into the alhumimi, or white 

 wood below, and this very marring of the bark became the means of 



Fig. IX. — Ancient inscription covered over by new wood. 



perpetuating and discovering the inscription. As the tree continued to 

 grow, new wood would be formed between the inscription and the bark ; 

 and thus the record became buried for centuries in the heart of the tree. 



In the bark of trees and shrubs, two distinct parts are 

 found : the one external and cellular ; and the other internal, 

 resting upon the wood, and consistiag of woody matter mixed 

 with cellular. The external is the bind or cortical integument, 



