336 



THE FIR TRIBE. 



usually constructed of six or eight fir-trees, 

 placed side by side lengthways, so as to form a 

 semicircular channel, made smooth by stripping 

 the bark from the trees. The trees are laid side 

 by side, and end to end, till the slide is of 

 considerable length, having a gradual descent, 

 curving round the shoulders of mountains, span- 

 ning over valleys and yawning ravines by means 

 of viaducts, and even perforating solid rocks by 

 means of tunnels. In the year 1810, when the 

 price of Baltic timber had attained its greatest 

 height, a stupendous, and at the same time suc- 

 cessful, effort was made to convey the timber of 

 Mount Pilate to the Lake of Lucerne, whence it 

 might be floated down the Rhine to the sea. 

 Under the superintendence of M. Rupp, a slide 

 was constructed, six feet broad, and from three 

 to six feet deep, and extending to a distance of 

 forty-four thousand feet (eight miles). It was 

 completed in 1812, and twenty-five thousand Pine- 

 trees were employed in its construction. It was 

 called the slide of Alpnach, from the name of a 

 village near it. The logs were drawn to the trough 

 either by hand-sledges or by oxen, and placed 

 in it at the top ; the snow was partially cleared 

 away from the trough, and a few logs were thrown 

 to clear the channel. Water was next poured 

 upon it, which quickly froze, forming a surface 

 of ice through its entire extent. The logs placed 

 on the upper surface of this slippery trough im- 

 mediately descended, slowly at first, but with 

 almost inconceivable velocity, as their momentum 

 increased. When the operations were to begin, 

 workmen were posted at regular distances ; and 

 as soon as everything was ready, the workman at 



