THE LARCH. 



403 



vine-props, and rails for fencing, it is preferred to 

 any other wood, bearing exposure to all weathers 

 without shewing any symptom of decay in the 

 course of many years. For the same reason it is 

 in great demand for the sleepers of railways. The 

 bark possesses tanning properties to a considerable 

 extent, but being in this respect far inferior to 

 Oak, it will not pay the expenses of peeling and 

 carriage. 



From the trunk of the full-grown Larch is 

 procured the substance known by the name of 

 Venice turpentine. This is a liquid resin found 

 in large cavities, which measure sometimes several 

 inches across, and are situated in the solid wood, 

 five or six inches from the heart of the tree. In 

 order to obtain it, holes are pierced with augers, 

 and into them are inserted wooden tubes, through 

 which the turpentine flows into little buckets sus- 

 pended at the other end to receive it. The season 

 for collecting it lasts from May to October. It is 

 perfectly clear, and needs no further preparation 

 than straining through a coarse hair cloth to free 

 it from impurities. It derived its name from the 

 City of Venice, from which it was formerly ex- 

 clusively exported. It is used in medicine, and for 

 making several kinds of varnish. 



A manna is also produced from the shoots of 

 the young Larches, which resembles that of the 

 Ash ; it is called Manna of Brian^on, from the 

 name of the place where it is collected. 



