LAT] ( 76 ) 



Lapboards or Lapping Boards. Thin boards on which bolts of 

 cloth are wound. Also known as " Clothboards." 



Larboard and Starboard. Larboard (now commonly " port 

 side ") is the left side of ship as she advances on her course ; 

 " starboard ' :i is the right, or opposite. The latter is a 

 variant of " steer-board," the board by which a vessel was 

 guided in the water before the mechanism of the helm 

 became common. At the root of this latter we have the 

 "north" or "pole-star" cynosure, otherwise the "lode- 

 star " or " leadstar," which served the purpose of the com- 

 pass before that instrument was invented ; hence a " steer- 

 man " on a ship is properly a " starman." 



Larch (Pinus larix or Larix Europa). Introduced into this coun- 

 try in the eighteenth century. Flourishes in almost every 

 kind of soil, in cold climates and the most exposed positions. 

 Grows faster and contains more gum and resin than any 

 other home-grown tree. Used by railway contractors (for 

 fences, posts and sleepers), boatbuiklers and wheelwrights. 



Lath and a Half. Extra stout laths. 



Lathe. A machine for turning concentric-shaped articles which 

 are caused to revolve while under the action of the cutting 

 tool. 



Latlie, or Lathes, Foot Power. (1) The oldest form is the "pole- 

 lathe," with reciprocative action, i.e., a spring-pole over- 

 head, a cord wrapped round the wood to be turned, and 

 extended to a floor-treadle ; still used for spindle-ends. 

 (2) A lathe, rotary action, which receives its motion by means 

 of a crank and treadle worked by one foot of the operator, 

 or by additional foot-help. See " Turner." 



Lathes, Gauge. Lathes specially constructed for turning out 

 a large number of similar articles. One is used for roughing 

 out the piece to the required shape, and a tool of the exact 

 profile required for finishing the article to the exact shape 

 and size. 



Lathes, Self-acting. Lathes provided with a slide rest, which is 

 automatically traversed along the bed of the machine, in- 

 stead of the cutting tool being guided by the operator's hands. 



Lath-river. See "Rive and River," "Rend and Render," and 

 " Split and Splitter." 



Laths. See " Plasterers' Laths " and " Tile Laths." 



Lathwood. Specially selected straight-grained fir-timber suit- 

 able for being riven. Imported in half or part-round billets, 

 from which the hearts have been extracted. Sold by the 

 fathom of 216 cubic ft. (6 ft. x 6 ft. x 6 ft). A fathom. 



