SITUATIONS. 21 



it to be proper for ribs or knees, yet, for out- 

 ward cleathing, it might perhaps be more 

 valuable than the Oak, as it would be lighter 

 and more buoyant, and possibly might resist 

 the worms in warm climates : at any rate, it 

 would not be so apt to splinter during the time 

 of an engagement, which would save many 

 useful lives that are always lost on these oc- 

 casions by the splinters of Oak. 



" Along with these properties, we ought 

 always to remember, that, as it is of much 

 quicker growth, we could much more easily 

 supply ourselves with this kind of timber 

 than with Oak. All which considerations 

 make it merit the attention of every sincere 

 friend to his country, at least so far as to get 

 a fair trial made, to see whether it would 

 answer all these valuable purposes or not*." 



Again, Mr. Marshall (Plant, and Rur. Orn. 

 vol. l,p. 143) says, "Even the Larch, it is 

 more than probable, may be trained with 

 great advantage as ship timber ; for which it 

 is well understood to be superiorly adapted. 

 In Italy, we believe, it has been applied to 

 that purpose for ages past. In the grounds 



* Observ. On Planting, by Agricola, page 116. 



