190 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



advantage, as it lessens the cost of the roof itself, 

 its pressure upon the walls, and its tendency to break 

 by its own weight. 



The use of timber in the chief construction of 

 houses is well known. Some of those in England 

 and Wales, that are framed with oak beams, and filled 

 with bricks or plaster, are both strong and hand- 

 some. In Switzerland, the houses constructed of 

 larch last for many ages. Wooden houses are very 

 common in America; and in the pine countries of 

 Europe they are almost universal, except for palaces 

 and public buildings. In the interior of Russia, 

 ready-made houses are sold at the fairs. They are 

 carried to the fair, and there set up ; and when the 

 purchaser has selected one to his mind, it is taken to 

 pieces and removed to the situation destined for it. 



One of the most remarkable wooden houses in 

 England was the Nonsuch-house at the north en- 

 trance of London-bridge. It occupied two piers with 

 the interverning arch; and was fantastically hatched 

 and carved, with projecting towers at the angles 

 and ' over the gateways, finished with cupolas at 

 the top. This singular structure overhung the 

 river both upwards and downwards, and if it had 

 little elegance,, it was abundantly grotesque. The 

 Nonsuch-house was imported ready made from Hol- 

 land. It was wholly of timber, even to the fasten- 

 ings, which were wooden pegs there not being a 

 nail in the whole structure. 



WOODEN BRIDGES. 



Wooden Bridges have been resorted to in all ages ; 

 and wherever there are trees to be found, bridges 

 formed of them are also to be met with, from the 

 simple log or trunk thrown across a mountain tor- 

 rent, to some of the most scientific and tasteful struc- 

 tures that art has produced. In Sweden and Nor- 



