214 



NOTICES OF AUTHORS. 



ber retains its strength to a great age ; and the 

 reedy closeness of slow growth, for most purposes, 

 outbalances any loss from deficiency of lateral adhe- 

 sion. 



Moderately fast grown timber is much more 

 requisite for naval purposes than for other uses; as, 

 besides the greater longitudinal strength when of 

 large dimension, it has greater adhesion laterally, is 

 far more pliant, and therefore much better suited 

 for the ribs of vessels, where cross cutting a portion 

 of the fibre, from the inattention to training to pro- 

 per bends, is unavoidable ; and whence a disrupting 

 shock (which is rather to be vsdthstood than fair 

 pressure), makes the unyielding splintering old wood 

 ily like ice ; the rift commencing its run from the 

 €ut fibre. For plank, the lateral adhesion and pli- 

 ancy of young moderately fast grown timber is 

 equally valuable, especially for those which are ap- 

 plied to the curvature of the bow and stern. Young 

 timber also softens much better by steam, therefore 

 is more convenient for planking, and for being bent 

 for the compass timbers of large vessels. The ves- 

 sel constructed of it will besides, from the general 

 elasticity of the fibre, be more lively in the water, 

 sail faster, and, though stronger to resist, will 



