XIX.] OTHER AMERICAN TIMBERS. 183 



and early decay. I imagine, therefore, that it is un- 

 suitable for building purposes. 



The specific gravity of European Birch is about 700, 

 and that of American about 600 to 640. 



The Yellow Birch [Betula excelsd) is a northern and 

 rather large form, with a solid, fine grained, easily worked 

 wood, excellent for cabinet-making. 



The Canoe Birch [B . papyraced) of Canada and the 

 north states obtains its name from the use of the bark 

 by the Indians. Its white wood is used in turnery, &c. 



OTHER AMERICAN TIMBERS. 



The Chestnut {Castanea vesca) is common in 

 Kentucky, Tennessee, New England, and New York, 

 but the wood is of little importance as compared with 

 that of Italy and South Europe. 



Besides our European Beech, there is also a native 

 species {Fagus feruginea in the middle states and 

 Canada. 



The American Alder {Alnus incana) and one or 

 two others yield wood of very little value. 



The Sugar Maple {Acer saccharinum) of Canada and 

 the northern states, is better known from its sugar- 

 yielding sap than on account of its timber, though fine 

 veneer wood is obtained from it. The same is true of 

 the Black Maple (A. nigrum). 



The Silver-leaf Maple {A. dasycarpuni) and the Red 

 Maple {A. rubrum) yield soft wood of little value, 

 though that of the latter is used. 



Tilia Americana is the Basswood of the Atlantic 

 states and Canada, and its white, light, even-grained wood 

 is much prized for cabinet-work, carving, and fine work. 



The timber of the Oregon Maple {A. macrophyllum) is 



