EXTRACTS FROM THE PINE. 83 



ture of tar; proofs of which are visible in the whole 

 extent of the coast. The process by which the tar is 

 obtained is very simple: and as we often witnessed 

 it, we shall now describe it, from a tar-work which 

 we halted to inspect upon the spot. The situation 

 most favourable for this process is in a forest near 

 to a marsh or bog; because the roots of the fir, 

 from which tar is principally extracted, are always 

 the most productive in such places. A conical ca- 

 vity is then made in the ground (generally in the side 

 of a bank or sloping hill) ; and the roots of the fir, 

 together with logs or billets of the same, being neatly 

 trussed into a stack of the same conical shape, are 

 let into this cavity. The whole is then covered with 

 turf, to prevent the volatile parts from being dissi- 

 pated, which, by means of a heavy wooden mallet, 

 and a wooden stamper, worked separately by two 

 men, is beaten down and rendered as firm as pos- 

 sible above the wood. The stack of billets is then 

 kindled, and a slow combustion of the fir takes place, 

 without flame, as in making charcoal. During this 

 combustion, the tar exudes; and a cast-iron pan 

 being at the bottom of the funnel, with a spout, 

 which projects through the side of the bank, barrels 

 are placed beneath this spout, to collect the fluid as 

 it comes away. As fast as the barrels are filled, 

 they are bunged and ready for immediate exporta- 

 tion. From this description, it will be evident that 

 the mode of obtaining tar is by a kind of distillation 

 per descensum; the turpentine, melted by fire, mix- 

 ing with the sap and juices of the fir, while the 

 wood itself, becoming charred, is converted into 

 charcoal. The most curious part of the story is, 

 that this simple method of extracting tar is precisely 

 that which is described by Theophrastus and Dios- 

 corides; and there is not the smallest difference be- 

 tween a tar-work in the forests of Westro-Bothnia, 

 and those of ancient Greece. The Greeks made stacks 



