4. Pai-cha wood.—

We are indebted to Mr. W. M. Cooper, H.B.M. Consul at Ningpo, for a block of this wood (see Kew Report, 1878, pp. 41 and 42), and a carving showing the extremely delicate work of which it admits. The wood was placed in the hands of Mr. R. J. Scott for report. He informs us:—"The most striking quality I have observed in this wood is its capacity for retaining water and the facility with which it surrenders it. This section, which represents onetenth of the original piece, weighed 3 lbs. 4½ ozs. At the end of 21 days it had lost 1 lb. 6¾ ozs. in an unheated chamber. At the end of another 14 days, in a much elevated temperature, it only lost ¼ oz. In its present state of reduced bulk, its weight is 1 lb. 10 ozs. It is not at all likely to supersede box; but it may be fit for coarser work than that for which box is necessary."