Books Made from Trees

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 17, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 48.

Books Made from Trees

An English paper describes a novel collection of books to be seen near Cassel, Germany. At first glance they appear like rough blocks of wood; but upon closer examination it is found that each is a complete history of the tree which it represents. At the back of the book the bark has been removed from a space large enough to admit the scientific and the common name of the tree as a title. One side is formed from the split wood of the tree, showing its grain and natural fracture; the other shows the wood when worked smooth and varnished. One end shows the grain as left by the saw, and the other the finely polished wood. On opening the book are found the fruit, seeds, leaves, and other products of the tree, the moss which grows on its trunk, and the insects which feed upon the various parts of the tree. To all this is added a well-printed description of the habits, usual location, and manner of growth, of the tree—all forming a complete history of each kind of timber represented.—Sel.