Wood: A Manual of the Natural History and Industrial Applications of the Timbers of Commerce

About this book

A reprint of a classical work in the Cambridge Library Collection.

An eminent botanist and natural historian, George Simonds Boulger (1853-1922) wrote a number of books on plant life in the British Isles. First published in 1902, this manual explores the characteristics and uses of one of the most abundant and versatile natural materials. In the first part, Boulger outlines the general biological function and uses of wood. He also describes the classification of wood, and the durability of different timbers. The second part catalogues the types of wood that are used commercially. Boulger explains the distinguishing characteristics and uses of hundreds of different kinds of timber, which are listed alphabetically. Featuring 82 illustrations, the book also includes appendices explaining some of the terminology and science of wood, and a select bibliography. Boulger's work on economic botany, The Uses of Plants (1889), is also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection.

Contents

Preface

Part I. Of Wood in General
1. The origin, structure and development of wood, and its use to the tree
2. The recognition and classification of woods
3. Defects of woods
4. Selection, seasoning, storage and durability of woods
5. The uses of woods
6. Our supplies of wood
7. Testing wood

Part II. Woods of Commerce: Their Sources, Characters, and Uses

Appendices
Index

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