60 



BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



in the stem, when it has stood long. It agrees in 

 this vAtli the larch, that, though its timber, when cut 

 down, or withered and dried, as on the top of the 

 tree, is little liable to corruption, yet it is very sub- 

 ject to it, as part of the stem of the lining tree, per- 

 haps under certain circumstances of semi-.\itality. 

 To determine whether this tree, raised from seed, 

 would be liable to these disorders, the same as when 

 continued by shps, would be an interesting, though 

 tedious, experiment. We never have seen any young 

 seed-plants rise around old trees. 



The use of the red wood willow, as timbers of 

 vessels, has been of long standing in this part of 

 Scotland, and has proved its long endurance, and 

 excellent adaptation. By reason of its lightness, 

 pliancy, elasticity, and toughness, it is, we think, the 

 best, without exception, for the formation of small 

 fast-sailing war-vessels. We are pretty certain that 

 our Navy Eoard would not have cause to regret trial 

 of it in a long, low, shai'p schooner, of sufficient 

 breadth to stand up under great press of sail, mould- 

 ed as much as possible to combine great stabihty 

 mth small resistance from the water, and when in 

 quick motion to be buoyant — especially not to dip 

 forward, — provided it coidd be procm*ed not too old, 

 and free from rot, large knots, and cross-grain ; a very 



