THE LARCH. 403 



namely, in spring, and are full of turpentine in August. 

 The tumours are sometimes round, and sometimes oval ; 

 but when the latter, their greatest length is always in a 

 horizontal direction. It is employed, as well as the 

 essential oil which is distilled from it, both in medicine 

 and in the arts. It is the only kind of turpentine, pro- 

 duced by any kind of Pine or Fir, which is used in the 

 preparation of the clear varnishes, and by artists for their 

 colours." The bark may be employed for tanning leather, 

 and is used generally in some parts of Switzerland. In 

 some parts of Europe the young cones, reduced by boil- 

 ing to a pulp, and preserved with sugar, are eaten as a 

 sweetmeat. 



The Silver Fir is very liable to the attack of an insect 

 belonging to the genus Eriosoma, which is not only inju- 

 rious by disfiguring the individual it infests, but frequently 

 causes the death of the tree by the absorption of its juices. 

 It always attacks the main trunk or the under side of the 

 branches, appearing in patches, and covered with a white 

 cottony substance. Not only are young trees killed by 

 these destructive insects, but full-grown trees measuring 

 eleven or twelve feet in girth. The only remedy which 

 has been found effectual is to rub the insects to death with 

 a brush or coarse canvas cloth in spring. It does not 

 appear to extend its ravages to any others of the Fir tribe, 

 nor has it been known for more than fifty or sixty years ; 

 but it is said to be greatly on the increase. 



THE LARCH. 

 LAEIX ETHIOPIA. 



THE Larch may best be distinguished from the rest of the 

 Fir-trees at the season when most other trees throw off 

 their distinctive character. In winter its lofty, undivided 



