140 



THE ALDER. 



country of Europe^ and prefers a marshy soil, 

 or the margins of rivers ; where it attains a 

 considerable size, and may be reared to a large 

 tree ; though it is commonly cut down early 

 in its growth, for poles. The wood is chiefly 

 valuable for its property of continuing sound 

 a long time under water : it is therefore 

 used for foundation piles, and water pipes. 

 There are several varieties of this tree, one 

 of which is red, sometimes so finely streaked, 

 that it is used for articles of household furni- 

 ture, under the name of Scottish mahogany. 



