256 WOODS OF COMMEECE 



By a tiresome confusion the name " Plane " is given in Soutliern 

 Scotland to the wood of the Sycamore or Great Maple {Acer Pseudo- 

 fldtanus L.). See Sycamore, 



Plum (Prunus domesUca L. : Order Bosdcece). Western Asia, 

 cultivated elsewhere. French '* Prunier." Germ, " Zwetschken- 

 baum." A small tree. S.6. 780. Sapwood narrow, yellowish ; 

 heart deep brownish-red, resembling Mahogany, heavy, hard, not 

 very durable ; vessels much more numerous in the spring-wood, 

 so making a lighter-coloured zone ; pith-rays numerous and very 

 distinct. Used by cabinet-makers, turners, and instrument- 

 makers. 



Plum, in Australia. See Acacia. 



Plum, Black {Gargillia austrdlis R. Br. : Order Mendcece). North- 

 East AustraHa. Height 60 — 80 ft. ; diam. 1| — 2 ft. W 52. Close, 

 very tough, firm, apt to split and discolour in seasoning and very 

 liable to insect attacks. Used for whip-handles. 



Plum, Burdekin {Spondias pleiogyna P. v. M. : Order Anacar- 

 didcece). Queensland. Known also as " Sweet Plum." Dark 

 brown with red markings, resembling Walnut, hard, close and 

 straight in grain. Suitable for turnery or cabinet-work. 



Plum, Grey {Cdpparis nohilis P. v. M. : Order Oappariddcece), 

 ISforth-East Australia. Known also as " Caper-tree " and " Native 

 Pomegranate." Height 20 — 25 ft. ; diam. 6 — 14 in. Light 

 coloured, hard, close-grained. Used for whip-handles, and suitable 

 for carving. [See also Myrtle, Black.] 



Plum, Hog {Spondias mangifera Pers. : Order Anacardidcece). 

 India and Burma. Known also as " Wild Mango." Sansk. 

 ''Amrataca." Hind. "Amra." Beng, ''Ambalam." Telug, 

 ^' Ambara." Height 30 ft. ; diam. 1 ft. Light grey, soft, valueless 

 except as fuel. Yields a gum resembling Gum Arabic. 



Plum, Kafir. See Bate, Kafir. 



Plum, Native or Wild. See Apple, Black or Brush. 



Plum, Sebestan [Cordia Myxa Ij. = Sebestdna offlcindlis Gaertn. : 

 Order Boragindcece). Egypt, Persia, Arabia, India, and the 

 Malay Peninsula. Kjiown also as "Nakkeru wood." Sansk. 

 " Bukampadaruka." Hind. " Lesura." Arab. " Lebuk." Tarn. 

 '' Vidi." Telug. " Nakkeru." Height 8—15 ft. ; diam. 1—2 ft. 

 W 28 — 42. Olive-coloured, greyish or light-brown, soft, coarse- 

 grained, easy to work, strong, seasoning well, but liable to insect 

 attack. One of the best woods for kindling fire by friction, used 

 for boat-building, gun-stocks, etc., excellent for fuel, and perhaps 

 suitable for tea-chests, being said to have been used for Egyptian 

 mummy-cases. 



