WORMWOOD OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 443 



it is made consist chiefly of Maple, Beech, Cheriy, Ash, and 

 Oak. The trunks of the trees are cut into lengths not exceed- 

 ing 4 feet ; the logs are then placed in a steam chaniher, where 

 they remain for three or four hours ; they are then placed in a 

 revolving lathe, and by the aid of the knife the hark and all 

 superfluity is removed ; and when the log becomes perfectly 

 smooth and cylindrical, the knife is then graduated to cut it a 

 certain thickness, and by the constant revolution of the log a 

 continuous thin sheet is pared ofif, which is cut into lengths 

 according to requirements, and made into packages of different 

 sizes, ready for exportation. It partakes of the colour and 

 marking of the tree from which it is made. It is used for 

 veneering furniture, and for covering the walls instead of paper. 



Woodruflf (Asperula odorata), a perennial of the Madder 

 family (Eubiacese), native of this country, generally growing in 

 shady places in woods. It is peculiar that while green it emits 

 no smell, but when dry it has a strong odour of the principle 

 termed Coumarin. In Germany it is put into wine, giving it 

 a peculiar flavour known under the name of "Mai trank," 

 meaning Woodruff Wine. (See also Coumarin.) 



Wood Vinegar. (See Pitch Pine.) 



Woody Pear, a name for the fruit of Xylomehim pyriforme, 

 a small tree, with opposite leaves, of the natural order Proteaceae, 

 native of New South Wales. It is remarkable for its fruit, 

 which bears the exact resemblance and size of an ordinary pear, 

 but is attached by the broad end. It consists entirely of a 

 hard, woody substance, difficult to cut. When ripe, it splits 

 lengthwise, and contains a fiat winged seed. 



Worm Grass, or Pink-root (Spigelia marilandicd), a peren- 

 nial herb of the Nux Vomica family (Loganiaceas), native of the 

 United States. It attains a height of about a foot or more, 

 having ovate, opposite leaves. Its flowers are funnel-shaped, of 

 a beautiful carmine colour, borne in terminal spikes. This and an 

 allied species, S. Antlielmia, are highly purgative, and efficacions 

 in destroying intestinal worms, hence its name Worm Grass. 



Womxwood. — Artemisia Absinthium^ A. maritima^ natives 



