Wood Identification by Microscopic Examination

Description: Illustrated in black and white. Microphotography by Kay Allen. A Guide for the Archaeologist on the Northwest coast of North America (Heritage Record No. 5, British Columbia Provincial Museum). The introduction explains that while midden sites commonly excavated along the Northwest Coast show no trace of wood or fiber as they have disintegrated, leaving no trace. However, in water-logged sites, perishable material may have been preserved, with numerous examples of the ancient use of wood. The methods used in the determination of tree genus and species through a microscopic study of wood depend on the identification of minute anatomical structures within the wood itself, structures which are sufficiently similar within a particular genus, but different from those of other genera, to be diagnostic. Many keys have been developed for use in the microscopic identification of wood, but most of them are concerned with commercial timber species. Few wood identification keys exist for the smaller shrubs which were used by the aboriginal peoples of the Northwest. BINDING/CONDITION: paperbound; Good condition. references, appendices. about 10.75 inches tall by 8.25 inches wide. 84 pages.…