ii8 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



houses (in Poland) built 300 to 500 years ago of larch wood are still 

 standing." 



A specimen piece of a pile dri\-en in 1854-55 iri the river Nene was taken 

 up in 1904, when it was found to be in a perfect state of preservation. 

 Part of the wood was subjected during this period to the action of wind 

 and weather, and alternate wetting and drying. Many notable Italian 

 pictures have been painted on panels of larch. It makes excellent 

 flooring, and if creosoted would be suitable for wood pavdng, as it is hard 

 enough to resist the wear of traffic, while also giving a good foothold for 

 horses. Used as sleepers larch is superior to other softwoods which 

 can be produced in England, and its greater value in general, com- 

 pared with them, is shown by the fact that the controlled price of 

 larch during the war was 30 per cent higher than that of any other 

 softwood grown in England. It is one of the most profitable timbers 

 which can be planted in this country, though the prevalence of larch 

 disease has of late years stimulated the planting of Douglas fir in its place. 

 It is to be hoped, however, that as this disease has practically disappeared, 

 larch will again take the premier position which it deserves. A plantation 

 of this wood, when only thirty-nine years old, jdelded timber more than 

 10 inches in diameter at breast height. 



Before the war the use of larch was confined to such class of work as 

 park and other fencing, but consequent upon the restricted import of 

 foreign timbers it began to receive honour in its own country, and its 

 utihty for a variety of purposes has become widely realised, and its 

 continued demand in preference to other British softwoods proves its 

 value. Amongst other purposes it has taken the place of pitch pine in 

 the framing of bed springs. 



The pores are numerous, and vary in size. The medullary rays, 

 invisible to the naked eye, are fine, white, and numerous. The annual 

 rings are very clearly defined, showing the light and dark wood of the 

 spring and autumn growth. 



Lauan. Source unknown. Weight, 41 lbs. Philippine Islands. 



The wood is of a pale yellowish - red mahogany colour, much like 

 serayah in appearance but of better grain and texture. It has not been 

 imported except perhaps in very small quantities during the last few 

 years. Father Gaspard of St. Augustine says, in his manuscript History 

 of the Phihppine Islands, that the outside planks of the old ^Manilla and 

 Acapulco galleons were of lauan wood, and that it was chosen because 

 it does not spht with shot. According to Foxworthy, who mentions also 

 " White Lauan," " Almon," etc., these are all the product of several 

 species of shorea or of Parashorea plicata and Pentacme contorta, and 

 possibly of Hopea. As will be seen elsewhere, the produce of the diptero- 



