in Extra-Tropical Countries. 277 



by some as even preferable for timber-rearing to P. silvestris and 

 P. Larix. Rate of upward growth 1^-2 feet in a year. 



Firms Larix, Linne. 



Common Larch. On the European Alps, up to 7,000 feet. A 

 tree of quick growth in cool localities; adapted to poor soil, its foliage 

 as in all larches deciduous. It attains often a height of 100 feet, 

 sometimes rising even to 160 feet, and produces a valuable timber of 

 great durability, which is used for land- and water-buildings, and 

 much prized for ship- and boat-building; for staves of wine-casks 

 almost indestructible, not allowing the evaporation of the spirituous 

 contents (Simmonds), also much employed for pumps. The Briancon- 

 Manna exudes from the stem. Larch-trees, cut in Bohemia, have 

 shown over 500 annual rings in their wood (Laugethal). Larch- 

 timber lasts three times longer than that of the Nor way- Spruce, and 

 although so buoyant and elastic it is tougher and more compact; it is 

 proof against water, not readily igniting, and heavier and harder than 

 any deal (Stauffer). The Venetian houses, constructed of larch- 

 wood, showed for almost indefinite periods no symptoms of decay. 

 This wood is also selected for the most lasting panels of paintings. The 

 bark is used for tanning and dyeing. The tree is also of great import- 

 ance for its yield of Venetian turpentine, which is obtained by boring 

 holes into the stem in spring; these fill during the summer, supply- 

 ing from half to three-quarters of a pint of turpentine. In Piedmont, 

 where they tap the tree in different places, and let the liquid continu- 

 ally run, it is said, that from seven to eight pints may be obtained in 

 a year; but the wood suffers through this operation: The larch is 

 grown in Norway to lat. 66 5'; in 63 26' a tree still attained a 

 height of over 70 feet (Professor Schuebeler). P. L. var. Rossica, 

 the Russian Larch, grows principally on the Altai-Mountains, from 

 2,500 to 5.500 feet above sea-level. The species would be important 

 for upland, particularly alpine country, even for peatbogs. 



Pinus leiophylla, Schiede and Deppe. 



At elevations of from 7,000 to 11,000 feet on the mountains of 

 Mexico. A pine to as much as 90 feet high. A very resinous 

 species, according to Mr. Hugo Fiuck. The wood is excessively 

 hard. 



Pinus leptolepis, Endlicher. 



The Karamatsou or Japan-Larch. In Japan, between 35 and 

 48 north latitude, up to an elevation of 9,000 feet. Never a very 

 tall tree. The timber, when mature, reddish-brown and soft; it is 

 highly valued by the Japanese. 



Pinus longifolia, Roxburgh.* 



Emodi-Pine or Cheer-Pine. On the Himalayan mountains, from 

 2,000 to 9,000 feet. A handsome tree, with a branchless stem for 

 50 feet, the whole tree attaining a maximum-height of somewhat 

 over 100 feet, the girth of the stem 12 feet. Does not like much 



