xxxii.] CEDARS. 267 
The wood is reddish-brown in colour, open and 
straight in the grain, very porous, soft and spongy in 
the centre, of light weight, and rather brittle ; large and 
injurious heart and cup-shakes frequently occur in it. 
It is deficient in strength, whichever way it is tried, but 
it works up easily, shrinks only moderately, and stands 
exceedingly well when seasoned. It is, therefore, of 
great value to the modeller, the carver, the toy-maker, 
and the general dealer in light and small wares. Large 
scantlings cannot, however, be worked out of it for 
framing in carpentry, neither is it suitable for such 
employment. 
Cedar timber has long enjoyed the reputation of 
being durable; and there is no doubt that Solomon 
obtained the Abies Cedrus for employment in the 
fitments, if not in the more solid structure, of the 
Temple at Jerusalem. The wood has a pleasant though 
peculiar odour, which is obnoxious to insects and vermin, 
and articles made of this material are practically free 
from their attacks. 
The specific gravity of well-seasoned Cuba Cedar 
is about 439. The specific gravities of moderately- 
seasoned Cuba, Mexican, and Honduras Cedars are 
respectively 564, 640, and 664. 
THE BERMUDIAN CEDAR (.Juniperus Bermudiana) 
is very small, and much lighter than that of Cuba. It 
was tried experimentally, a few years since, in the 
building of several brigs and schooners in the royal 
dockyards, but with only partial success, and the use 
of it was soon discontinued. It is used in the Bermudas 
for the building of boats and small vessels, and is in 
request in this country for the making of pencils. 
The Cedar of Florida is similar in quality and 
