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flowers, before it sprouts, and in autumn it produces small pods.
The wood is brown and fine grained, and is used for making
chess-boards, tables, boxes, Japanese wood-shoes, and many other
articles.
535. JEsculus turbinata, Blume., Jap. Tochi-no-ki; a
deciduous tree of the order SapindaceaB growing in mountains
40-50 fts. high. In early summer, it
produces white pink-shaded
flowers in panicles on the branches. In late autumn, its round
fruits ripen and expose nuts about 1 inch in size. The nuts are
dried and eaten. The wood is pale yellow, and resembles the
preceding two in use. It is manufactured by turners for making
trays, plates, bowls, etc. The old wood is variegated and very
pretty.
535. b. Acer pictum, Th., Jap. Itaya-momiji, Tokiwakayede
; a deciduous tree of the order Aceracea}, growing principally
in northern countries. Its stem attains to a height of 40-50 fts.
The wood is light brown and fine grained. As the grains of the
old wood are very beautiful with a circular figure,
ornaments of rooms or to make boxes. Sugar
the juice of the fresh stems.
it is used for
is obtained from
536. Melia japonica, G. Don., Jap. Sendan; a deciduous
tree of the order Meliaceae growing to a height of 20-30 fts. In
summer, its purple flowers open in panicles, being succeeded with
oval fruits about 1 inch long. The fruits ripen in winter und
become yellow. The wood resembles Zelkowa keaki (557).
Especially the old wood is very beautiful. Besides this, there is
a species called Osendan, which grows more rapidly and largely.
537. Cedrela Chinensis, A. Juss., Jap. Chanchin; a
deciduous tree of the order Cedrelaceae growing to a height of
30-40 fts. In summer its small white flowers open in panicles
and are succeeded with pods. When the pods are fully ripe in
autumn they expose seeds which fly away. The leaves are
disagreeably odorous, especially at night. A variety with red
young leaves is called Akebono. The wood is red and hard. Its
use is nearly the same as the former.