OF FOREST-TREES. 



313 



after for shipping, should most delight in the highest mountains, as if cH. XXri. 



they fled from the sea on purpose, and were afraid to descend into the ^-^V^i^ 



waters : Situs in excelso montium, ceu maria fugeret. With Fir we 



make all intestine works, as wainscot, floors, pales, balks, laths, boxes, 



and bellies for musical instruments in general ; nay, the ribs and sides 



of that enormous stratagem, the so famous Trojan Horse, were made 



of this material, if the Poet mistake not, 



III ' i ■ Sectaque intexunt Abiete costas. ^N. ii. 



. ■ ' The ribs with deal they fit. 



there being no material more obedient and ready to bend for such 

 works. 



In Holland they receive their best masts out of Norway, and even as 

 far as Muscovy, which are best esteemed, as consisting of long fibres 

 without knots, but deal boards from the first ; and though Fir rots 

 quickly in salt-water, it does not so soon perish in fresh ; nor do they yet 

 refuse it in merchant-ships, especially the upper parts of them, because 

 of its lightness. The true Pine was very highly commended by the an- 

 cients for naval architecture, as not so easily decaying ; and we read that 

 Trajan caused vessels to be built both of the true and spurious kind, well 

 pitched, and overlaid with lead, which perhaps might hint our modern 

 sheathing with that metal at present. Fir is exceedingly smooth to polish 

 on, and therefore does well under gilding work, and takes black equally 

 with the Pear-tree. Both Fir and Pine succeed well in carving, as for 

 capitals, festoons, nay statues, especially being gilded, because of the 

 easiness of the grain to work, and take the tool every way ; and he that 

 shall examine it nearly will find that famous image of the blessed Virgin 

 at Loretto, (reported to be carved by the hands of St. Luke,) to be made 

 of Fir, as the grain easily discovers it. The Torulus, as Vitruvius terms 

 it, and heart of deal, kept dry, rejecting the albumen and white, is ever- 

 lasting ; nor does there any wood so well agree with the glew as it, or is 

 so easy to be wrought. It is also excellent for beams, and other timber- 

 work in houses, being both light and exceedingly strong, and therefore 

 of very good use for bars and bolts of doors, as well as for doors them- 

 selves, and for the beams of coaches ; a board of an inch and a half thick 

 will carry the body of a coach with great ease, by reason of a natural 

 spring w^hich it has, not easily violated. You shall find that of old they 

 Volume L 3 A 



