TIMBEE OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 85 
is a serious defect in timber which is to be used as pulp. 
The western hemlock is a noble tree with very cylindrical, 
straight, tapering trunk, and has been found with a diameter 
of 8 ft. and a height of 250 ft. (Fig. 17). 
Hemlock of either species is not much appreciated in 
Canada, as there is abundance of other timber of a similar 
kind and of better quality. Hemlock, the western variety 
especially, may be recognised by the silvery character of its 
surface. 
Weight about the same as spruce of the same localities, 
about 27 lbs. per cubic foot. 
Yew (Taxus hrevifolia) is a small to medium-sized tree, 
forms no forests, but is scattered amongst the conifers. 
The wood is heavy, hard, stiff and strong, of fine texture 
with pale yellow sap and orange-red heart, seasons well, 
and is quite durable. 
Extensively used for archery bows, turners' ware, etc. 
Hickory. — The hickories of commerce are exclusively 
North American, and some of them are large and beautiful 
trees of 60 to 70 ft. or more in height. They are closely 
allied to the walnuts, and the timber is very like walnut in 
grain and colour, though of a somewhat darker brown. It is 
one of the finest of American hardwoods in point of 
strength ; in toughness it is superior to ash, rather coarse 
in texture, smooth, straight in grain, heavy and strong as 
well as elastic and tenacious, but decays rapidly when 
exposed to damp and moisture, and is said to be very 
liable to attack from worms. Great quantities are used for 
hoops of casks ; it makes excellent handspikes, handles of 
axes or picks, golf clubs, fishing rods, and is largely 
employed in the making of carriage shafts and in coach- 
building generally. Hickory is imported into Great 
