SITUATIONS. 19 



fail where the Larch succeeds. And conse- 

 quently, that there is hardly a situation or 

 soil to be found, especially in the district 

 under present view, whereon some of the 

 kinds of ship-timber may not be reared in 

 perfection. 



That the Oak is a chief material in naval 

 architecture is known to every one; and 

 perhaps, also, that Elm and Beech are much 

 used for keels. Deal is also used for sheath- 

 ing and ceilings. Masts and yards are uni- 

 versally made of fir. Nay, many ships are 

 entirely constructed of it. But this material 

 is chiefly sea-borne, there being but little of 

 it in the island* of size and quality fit for the 

 purpose. Nor need we ever attempt plant- 



* The famous wood of Glenmore, which gives name 

 to a beautiful frigate, built some years since, and of 

 which I saw a ship just launched, in May 1798, of about 

 800 tons, is supposed the largest and most durable tim- 

 ber of the kind in the island. I was informed, that every 

 part of this large vessel was of the produce of the Glen. 

 If we may judge from appearances, the durability of the 

 timber need not be suspected It seems to be more 

 compact than foreign fir. 



At Gar mouth, on the Moray Frith, are built many 

 large and handsome vessels of the timber of this 

 forest, 



