PINACE^E. 607 



ing in elevated situations to the Middle States. From the young branches the 

 " Extract or Essence of Spruce" is made, from which, or from the fresh leaves 

 and branches, Spruce beer is prepared. 



6. A. larix, Richard. — Leaves scattered, deciduous. Cones ovate-oblong, blunt. 



Richard, Monog. Con. 164, t. 13; Lindley, Pen. Cyclop, i. 32; Pinus 

 larix, Linn., Sp. PI. 1420; Lambert, Pin. t. 35 ; Larix europ&a, De Can- 

 dolle, Fl. Franc. 2064 ; Loudon, Arboret. 2350. 



Common Names. — Larch ; Common Larch. 



A native of mountainous regions in the north and middle of Europe. It 

 furnishes " Venice Turpentine," and a peculiar saccharine substance exudes 

 from the branches, called " Manna of Briancon." When larch forests take 

 fire, a gum issues from the trees during their combustion, which is termed 

 " Gum Orenberg ;" this is wholly soluble in water. The bark is used in 

 tanning. 



The turpentines are all stimulating, diuretic, anthelmintic, and in large 

 doses purgative. At first they are liquid, but gradually lose their volatile oil 

 by evaporation, and become hard, and form what is called Resin. By distil- 

 lation, they afford Oil of Turpentine, and by a coarse kind of distillation, 

 Pitch and Tar. 



Oil of turpentine is employed for a variety of purposes in medicine. As a 

 vermifuge, especially in cases of tapeworm, it is much relied upon ; to do 

 good in these cases, it must be administered in very large doses. It is also 

 useful as a stimulant in the low stages of fever, and has been given with 

 benefit in chronic rheumatism and obstructions of the bowele ; it has also 

 proved useful in chronic complaints of the urinary apparatus. In the form 

 of enema, it has been successfully resorted to in colic, obstinate constipation, 

 and ascarides. As an external irritant and revulsive, it is extensively em- 

 ployed, but should be used with caution, as it is so powerful as to produce 

 great inflammation of the skin. 



The different varieties of Resin are principally employed as ingredients in 

 ointments and plasters, as are also those known as Burgundy Pitch and Hem- 

 lock Gum. The properties of Liquid Pitch or Tar are much the same as 

 those of the Turpentines ; it is mainly emplo)'ed in the form of ointment 

 in cutaneous affections. At one time Tar-water had an unbounded r-eputation 

 in the treatment of almost every disease, being considered a universal pana- 

 cea, but is now seldom used. 



Numerous other trees of this tribe furnish important products. Thus, the 

 Damarra Turpentine is obtained from Damarra australis ; and the Dom- 

 beya Turpentine from Dombeya excelsa, a native of Chili. Araucaria bra- 

 siliensis yields a fragrant resin. 



Tribe 2. Cupresse^e. — Ovules erect ; pollen spheroidal. 



The secretions and properties of this tribe differ very materially from those 

 of the last, and are by no means as identical among themselves. 



Juniperus. — Linn. 



Flowers dioecious, rarely monoecious. Sterile : catkins axillary, or sub-terminal, glo- 

 bose, small. Fertile : catkins axillary, ovate imbricated, bracteate. Scales 3 — 6, united 

 at base, and containing 1 — 3 ovules, which are erect, perforated at the apex and bottle- 



