"And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken, and have done it."—Ezek. xvii.
Man assists this evident intention of nature, by slitting the bark from the top of the tree to its base; but even were this not done, the bark would be cast off by the tree itself.
Another proof of design in this useful adaptation of the cork-tree is to be found in the fact, that it thrives under treatment that would destroy other trees. The cork-tree will endure the barking process for seven or eight successive years.
CHAPTER LXIV.
1273. Why are there curious markings in walnut, mahogany, rose-wood, satin-wood, &c.?
Because those markings are produced by the various structure of the vessels by which the wood is formed; and by successive zones of wood, which indicate the periods of growth.