SPANISH CHESTNtTT. 



47 



the timber in milder climates. Chestnut timber is a 

 good deal similar to oak, though not quite so reedy and 

 elastic, but is destitute of the large laminae or plates 

 (flash J, which, radiating from the pith to the out- 

 side, become so prominent to view in the oak when 

 the longitudinal section is perpendicular to the out- 

 side, in the plane of the laminss. It is, we should 

 think, as capable of supporting weight, when stretch- 

 ing as a beam, as the oak, and is equally, if not 

 more durable, many beams of it existing in very old 

 buildings midecayed ; it is said even to have been 

 taken out fresh where it had stood 600 years as 

 lintels. Earth stakes of it are also very durable. 

 It possesses one advantage over oak, which must re- 

 commend it for ship-building, that is, having much 

 less proportion of sap-wood ; and, from the matured 

 wood containing much less sap or moistm*e, we should 

 suppose it not so liable to dry rot, or that more 

 simple means, or shorter period, would suffice for 

 seasoning it, so as to be proof against this evil. Spa- 

 nish chestnut is as yet little known among British 

 shipwrights ; but were a quantity of it in the mar- 

 ket free of the unsoundness we have alluded to, 

 its merits would soon become known. The bark is 

 used by tanners, but is said not to equal that of oak. 



