xvi CONIFEROUS TREES 



obtained principally from Pinus palustris, P. 

 Pinaster, and P. sylvestris. Turpentine comes 

 from incisions made in the stems of several species 

 of Pinus, principally P. Tceda, P. sylvestris, and 

 P. palustris. The famous Strasburg turpentine 

 is obtained from the common Silver Fir {Ahies 

 pectinata), while the Larch is the source of the 

 Venice turpentine of commerce. Larch bark 

 contains a large quantity of tannin matter, and 

 this may also be said of that of the Canadian 

 Hemlock Spruce [Tsuga canadensis), which is, 

 however, inferior in quality to that of the larch. 

 From spruce branches that well-known beverage, 

 spruce beer, is principally obtained, while in the 

 manufacture of gin the much -esteemed flavour 

 and aroma are mainly due to our Common 

 Juniper. In New England the sapling pines are 

 made into pasteboard, and the fibre threads of 

 the wood into cloth. That valuable product 

 coniferin is obtained from several species of 

 Ahies and Pinus ; an oil largely employed in 

 veterinary practice from Juniperus Oxycedrus ; 

 while the common Savin [Juniperus Sabina) is 

 much appreciated in medicine. 



Remarkable properties are possessed by the 

 secretions of the Lebanon Cedar. 



Articles of clothing, as also mats, sails, and 

 ropes, are made from the inner bark of the giant 

 Arborvitse (Thuya plicata), while in some parts 

 of Italy the leaves of Pinus halepensis are used 

 instead of straw for bedding horses and cattle. 

 Even pine sawdust is largely utilised for several 

 economic purposes. 



It may not be generally known that the seeds 



