40 
TIMBER 
Much literature has been written as to the superior 
qualifications of the timber of the common or old English 
oak over that of the sessile oak, and as to the durmast 
not being so good as either, but the fact that the timber 
of those of the first two species at any rate was used 
indiscriminately for the best work shows that there is 
practically no difference between them ; what difference 
there may be is due more to the various localities and soils 
in which the timber grows than to any inherent difference 
in the timber; in fact much of the oak taken from old 
buildings, and much prized, appears to have been the wood 
of Q. sessilijiora ; even the wood of the durmast oak, 
though of more open texture when young, shows very 
little difference from the other varieties when the timber 
has reached maturity. Few could tell the difference 
between the timber of the first two named, though the 
wood of the common oak, which is usually spoken of as the 
best, is of rather lighter colour than that of the sessile or 
bay oak ; the medullary rays in the latter are very straight, 
distinct, and far apart, in the common oak they are rather 
closer, not so straight, and finer. The timber of these oaks 
is straight grained, fairly free from knots, has good silver 
grain, is easily worked, and is well suited for ornamental 
work, as well as for joists, rafters, or wherever stiffness and 
accuracy of form are required ; it splits well and makes 
good laths, is strong, hard, and tough, warps a good deal 
in seasoning, and takes a long time to season, hence it 
sometimes continues to alter its shape after being put into 
buildings ; it is very elastic and easily bent to curves when 
steamed, and stands changes of temperature better than 
most timber. Oak contains gallic acid, which corrodes iron 
fastenings, hence all bolts used in it should be galvanised ; 
young oak is more cross grained and harder to work than 
old oak. As to its durability, one has only to look at 
