Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/236

216 and early decay. I imagine, therefore, that it is unsuitable for building purposes.

The specific gravity of European Birch is about 700, and that of American about 600 to 640.

THE BOX TREE (Buxus sempervirens)

is found nearly all over the South of Europe, from Spain to the Sea of Marmora; but in this country only sparingly on warm, chalky hill-sides. It is also found in the West Indies.

The Box tree seldom attains timber dimensions, and is not a building wood; it is, however, invaluable to the mathematical instrument maker, the turner, and the wood engraver, on account of the closeness of its grain and evenness of texture; and in the manufacturing districts it is in great request for bosses and boxes in connection with their machinery.

Boxwood of excellent quality is imported from Abasia, in Circassia, and also from Turkey. It is brought in round logs or billets, 3 to 8 feet in length, by 3 to 12 inches in diameter, with the bark on, which is thin, smooth, and of a grey colour. It has no sap-wood.

Thewood is yellowin colour, hard, heavy, free from heart-shake, and about the most solid at the pith that can be met with. It works up smoothly and with a silky lustre.

Boxwood is liable to split somewhat spirally from the outside of the log, but stands well after being worked, when thoroughly seasoned; and as it is seldom required for use except in small dimensions, no great loss is ever sustained in its conversion.

Boxwood is sold by weight, and in the London and Liverpool markets realises from £4 to £15 per ton, according to quality and dimensions.

The specific gravity of Box varies from 950 to 980.