46 



BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



scarcely exceeding in number those of the Spanish 

 chestnut, we should suppose that it has been moved 

 northward, or that the proper climate has left it. 

 We have observed that moist, or water-^soaked 

 ground, has influence, as well as chmate, to deprive 

 the albmumn vessels sooner of then- living functions, 

 inducing that torpor of tubes, or semi-^ital condi- 

 tion, in wiiich they only sen-e to suppoi't the more 

 active parts, and constitute what is called Mature 

 Timber. 



It is a general opinion that Spanish chestnut soon 

 takes rot in situations where the roots come in con- 

 tact with water. This appears to result from moist 

 soil inducing the too early matm-ing of the timber 

 abeady alluded to, and occasioning shaky insufficient 

 fabric, which soon corrupts. We have observed oaks 

 which had fewer layers of sap-wood, from gromng in 

 damp situations, have the timber of inferior quality, 

 and sometimes of a shaky, brownish description, 

 when cut across, throwing out a du'ty brownish li* 

 quid or stain. 



From the use of the Spanish chestnut in the 

 Spanish navy, both in planking and timbering, and 

 from the roofing beams and ornamental work of 

 Westminster Hall being also of this wood, w^e should 

 suppose it was not so liable to this defect of rents in 



