312- on larch 'joood. March ix» 



on any of them. The wood is not only thus durable 

 above ground, but seems to be even incorruptible be- 

 low ground, or immersed in water. The city of Ve- 

 nice is built almost entirely upon piles of larch wood* 

 which are found to be perfectly sound, though they have 

 now stood seven or eight hundred years. It is also in % 

 great measure incapable of being consumed by fire. 



Since, then, such are the well known qualities of the 

 larch, is it not astonifliing that no wood merchant Ihould 

 ever have thought of importing a log of it into any part 

 of Britain for sale ? I am told it may be obtained at 

 Dantzig or Memel, at nearly the same price with fir logs. 

 Its German name is lerchen-baum. The man who (hall 

 first import some of this wood, would probably lay the 

 foundation of a run of businefs to himself, that might 

 prove very favourable to his family. 



This wood can probably be got from any port on the 

 south side of the Baltic j but the best place for obtaining 

 it in perfection is tlie mouth of the Danube j as the 

 mountains that fliirt the borders of that river, are in a 

 great measure furnilhed with forests of larch, which 

 has never yet found an extensive foreign market. Were 

 we. to open a commerce with the Turks through the 

 Black sea, this might prove a valuable staple article for 

 completing cargoes, when other kinds of goods fell (liort. 

 if larch wood can be afforded at nearly the same price 

 with that of fir, the consumption of it in this country 

 would be immense, as soon as its qualities came to be 

 fully known. Nothing in Europe can equal it for planks , 

 for fliip-building. For all manner of joists, and rafters for 

 houses, Vitruvius celebrates it as the very best that ever 

 had been discovered \ for gate-posts, rails, and out of door 

 work, of all kinds, its incorruptible nature renders it pe- 

 culiarly valuable. It is fortunate, that before many years 

 Jiall be elapsed, this country will be able to supply itself 



