81 



reservoirs are found, and a multitude of smaller ones, which occasion great inconvenience in saAving, on account 

 of the teeth of the saAv being clogged by the glutinous matter/ 



The resmous juice of the Larch is said to remain always, or at least a very long time, in a state of liquidity; 

 if it should at length become at all concrete, it would be only at the edges, or on the sides of the vessel in 

 which it may be contained.. This property is adverted to by Pliny." 



The resmous juice of the Larch is substituted, in medicine, for that of the true Turpentine tree under those 

 circumstances to whicb the latter is supposed to be particularly suited. As a diuretic the Venice turpentine 

 is generally preferred to all the other sorts, and it loosens the belly most, on which account Riverius^ thinks 

 it more safe than most other irritating diuretics. Some authors have tliought that it had a greater tendency 

 to produce vertigo, and even drunkenness, than other terebinthinate juices, when taken internally, but this 

 is not well ascertained. CuUen " observes that its efl'ects, when it is employed in an enema, are more certain 

 and durable than those of sabne medicines, for remedying obstinate constipations of the bowels. Other 

 practitioners have employed it with advantage in some nephritic cases, exhibiting it in a similar form, by the 

 lectum. With regard to external use, this resin is much employed in the Tyrolese territories for the cure of 

 wounds. It forms a part of several plasters and ointments, as, for instance, the Emplastrum de Belladonna, 

 of the Brunswick pharmacopoeia, the TJnguentum Lifiisi Cantharidufn, of Edinburgh, and the Uiig, digestiviun, 

 of the Russian shops, being esteemed not only on account of its mechanical uses, but as an efficient digestive 

 and discutient. 



GUM. 



L 



fGummi Larigmim.J 



Gummi Orenhurgense, of the Russian shops. 



L 



This gum does not appear to be used any where birt in Russia, yet it is described as a good substitute 

 for Gum Arabic, of which it possesses much of the glutinous quality. It is dryish, of a reddish colour, and 



I 



of a sub-resinous taste, but wholly soluble in water. 



The mode in which this substance is obtained is very remarkable.' It sometimes happens that whole forests 

 of Larch, in some parts of the Russian empire, are consumed by fire, in consequence of the flames being 

 driven from the open hearths of the huntsmen to the foliage of the trees by a high wind. During the com- 

 bustion of the medullary part of the trunks, a gum issues forth, which is diligently collected by the natives 

 for the purpose not only of rendering their bows glutinous, but also of being eaten as a dchcacy. It is like- 

 wise supposed to act medicinally, as an antiscorbutic, and an useful astringent of the gums. 



- 1 



MANNA OF THE LARCH. 



f ^ 



(Manna Larigna.) 



Mamie de Brianpon, of the French shops. 



About the month of June, and when the sap of the Larch is most exuberant, this tree produces small white 

 drops of a sweet, glutinous matter, like Calabrian manna. The young trees generally produce most, appearing 

 quite white with it early in the morning before the rays of the sun have acted strongly and dissipated it; and, 

 what is very sin-ular, it adheres almost exclusively to the extremities of the branches. Bellonius " remarked 

 that (as was tht case with the Cedars of Mount Libanus) the drops are discoverable only on those trees 

 which occupy the highest spots. Professor Martin ■ noticed a hoary powder on a Larch which grew near his 

 house in the year 1798, but neglected to examine whether it had any of the qualities of manna. The followmg 

 year there was no appearance of this powder, which (as the Professor observes), may be accounted for from 

 the latter beinff a cold, wet season, and the former a hot, dry one. ,, , 



We are informed by the French author above quoted that the manna is collected by the peasants, who go 



. , , , , T^ „ 1 „ •^js'; ^ Dupkssy, Tom. 2. p. 268. "Lib. l6. c. 10. 



' Duhamcl Traii6 des Arbres, Tom. 1. p. oj,^. ^ ^ ^ , % ■ » /p..;, ..^ , r ..:: ^ n q 



■ Pallas. Flora Romca. Vol. I. p- 2. - " Be Arh. comfens. (Pans, 4to. 1.53.) p. 9. 



' Frax. Med. Lib. 14. c. 1. 

 " Miller's Diet. Pinus Larh\. 



" Mat. Med, 



2 T 



