rROPERTIES AND USES OF TIMBER. 391 



PLANE, OR SYCAMORE. 



The wood of the Plane is, like the beech, close- 

 grained, but much more beautiful. The backs of 

 violins are generally made of plane-tree ; and, when 

 of good workmanship, they furnish as good an ex- 

 ample as can be given of what plane-tree can be 

 made by the aid of varnish. This wood contains 

 few or no knots, or any thing to injure the edge of 

 tools. It is, therefore, very easily wrought, and well 

 adapted for cutting-boards, in which capacity it is 

 accordingly very frequently employed. It warps or 

 shrinks very little, and is, on that account, extreme- 

 ly eligible for saddle-trees, founders' patterns, &c. 

 Not being subject to crack, it is much superior to 

 the beech for turning into wooden dishes. Cabinet- 

 makers find it well adapted for various uses in the 

 formation of household-furniture. Millwrights also 

 make use of it for various purposes in constructing 

 machinery. 



lime-tree. 



The Lime, though not a strong timber, is yet re- 

 markably close in the grain. Its colour is a pure 



