Of American oaks, the most important are as follows. Tile chestnut-leaved (Q. prinos) gives a coarse-grained wood, very serviceable for wheel-carriages. The red (Q. rubra) in Canada and the Alleghanies, affords a light, spongy wood, useful for staves. The wood of the white oak (Q. alba), ranging from Canada to Carolina, is tough, pliable, and durahle, being the best of the Arnerican kinds, hut less durable than British. It is exported from Canada to Europe as " American oak." The iron or post oak (Q. obtusiloba), found in the forests of Maryland and Virginia, is frequently called the " box white oak," and chiefly used for posts and fencing. The live oak (Q. virens) is the best American ship-building kind, inhabiting the Virginian coast.
Oak warps, twists, and shrinks much in drying. Its weight is 37-68 lb. a cnb. ft., according to the kind ; cohesive force, 7850-17,892 lb. It is valuable for all situations when it is exposed to the weather, and where its warping and flexibility are not objectionable. Quebec oak is worth about 4/. 10s.-7/. a load; Dantzic and Memel, 3/. 10s.-5/. (See Acorn-oil, p. 1415 ; Cork, pp.722-9 ; Valonia, pp. 1992-3 ; Oak-barks, pp. 1987-8.) Oak [African], African Teak, or Turtosa (Oldfieldia africana). — This important W. African timber has lately been largely imported from Sierra Leone as a substitute for oak and teak. Though stronger than these, its great weight precludes its general use ; but it is valuable for certain parts of ships, as beams, keelsons, waterways, and it will stand much heat in the wake of steamer fires, decaying rapidly, however, in confined situations. It warps in planks, swells with wet, and splits in drying again ; it is not proof against insects. Its weight is 58-61 lb. a cub. ft. ; cohesive force, 17,000-21,000 lb.
Oak [Australian].—Two hard-wooded trees of Australia are the forest-oak (Casuarina torulosa) and the forest swamp-oak (C. paludosa). They reach 40-60 ft. high and 12-30 in. diam., and are used in house-building, mainly for shingles, as they split almost as neatly as slate. They weigh 50 lb. a cub. ft. ; crushing-force, 5500 lb. ; breaking-weight, 700 lb.
The she-oak (C. quadrivalvis) and he-oak (C. suberosa) of Tasmania are used mostly for orna mental purposes.
Pai-ch'ha (Euonymus sp.).—The wood of this tree has been alluded to (p.1610) as a substitute for box-wood, being extensively produced in China, and largely used at Ningpo and other places for wood-carving. It is very white, of fine grain, cuts easily, and is well suited for carved
frames, cabinets, &c. ; but it is not at all likely to supersede box-wood, though well fitted for coarser work.
Pear (P yrus communis). —Pear-tree wood is one of the heaviest and hardest of the timbers indi genoua to Britain. It has a compact fine grain, and takes a high polish ; it is in great request by millwrighta in Prance for making wheel-cogs, rollers, cylinders, blocks, &c., and is preferred before all others for the screws of wine-presses. It ranks second to box for wood-engraving and turnery.
Persimmon (DioRpyros virginiana).—The Virginian date-palm or persimmoo is a native of the United States, growing 50-60 ft. high and ft. diam. Its heart-wood is brown, hard, and elastic, but liable to split ; it has been with some success introduced into England as a substitute for box wood in shuttle-making and wood-engraving.
Pine [Black] or Matai (Poducarpus spicata).—This New Zealand timber is much more durable than Miro (p. 2017), and is used for all purposes where strength and solidity arc required. Its weight i8 40 lb. a cub. ft.; breaking-weight, 420-800 lb.
Pine [Cluster] or Pinaster (Pinus Pinaster).—This pine inhabits the rocky mountains of Europe, and is cultivated in English plantations; it reaches 50-60 and even 70 ft. ia height. It likes deep dry sand, or sandy loam in a dry bottom; but avoids all calcareous soils. The wood is said to be more durable in water than in air. It is much used in France for shipping-packages, piles and props in ship-building, common carpentry, and fuel. It weighs 251 lb. a cub. ft.
Pine [Huon] (Dacrydium Frank!IVO. —This tree is said t,o be abundant in portions of S.-W. Tasmania, growing 50-100 ft. high and 3-8 ft. diam. The wood is clean and fine-grained, being closer and more durable than American White Pia% and can be had in logs 12-20 ft. long and 2 ft. sq. Its weight is 40 lb. a cub. ft.
Pine [Moreton Bay] (Araucaria Cunninghami).—This abundant Queensland tree grows over 150 ft. high and 5 ft. diem., giving spars 80-100 ft. long. Its wood is straight-grained, tough, and excellent for joinery ; but is not so durable as Yellow Pine, and is liable to attacks of sea-worms and white ants. It is used for flooring and general carpentry, and for shinOes; it holds nails nod screws well. Its weight is 45 lb. a cub. ft.