On PrcscrviiKj Larch Wood. 
373 
Advancins;, however, from this ran<je into Swiizoilaiid, it iiiav 
bo observed that in those places, as at Chamouni, Mont Cenis, 
the Simplon, and the lofty Alps which partly enclose the beautiful 
Lake of Tliun. in the Canton of Berne, where the primitive rock 
I'ormation, consistin<j of ijranite, <;neiss, mica slate, and similar 
rocks abounds, the larch is indijjenous, growins; luxuriantly, and 
attaining to a <^reat size. Almost on the summit of the Simplon, 
upwards of 6000 feet of elevation above the sea. instances are met 
with of larches of 16 feet in circumference at some distance from 
the ground. Connected with the same formation are the largest 
larches found in Scotland, as at Dunkeld. One of the largest of 
these trees measures upwards of 18 feet in circumference; and 
they are of no great age, for it was only in 1/38 that they were 
brought from the Alps, and planted at Dunkeld. From the pro- 
gress they have made, and their present thriving appearance, it is 
probable they will attain a great age. 
The durability of the larch throughout Switzerland is pro- 
verbial ; and in all situations where exposure to weather must be 
encountered, such as roofing of houses, and the like, recourse is 
always had to larch, and, it is said, this external covering will last 
for nearly one hundred years. It is said that the piles on which 
yenice is built are of larch-wood. It would thus appear, that the 
greywacke slaty formation of rocks, approaching very near in 
qualities to the primitive granitic sod, is the best qualified to grow 
the larch. Before the introduction of mahogany wood into 
Europe, the Italian painters used larch panel, upon which to 
paint their oil pictures. 
In the ' Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal," No. xxviii., 
January, 1840, there is a notice at p. 27, describing a patent 
obtained in the United States of America, to preserve wood by 
boiling it in lime-water. The editor of this journal properly re- 
marks, that wood might be much better prevented from decay by 
soaking it in a strong solution of lime in cold water. 
Lime when fresh burned or calcined is soluble in about 800 
times its weight in cold water; but in much less quantity in boil- 
ing. And thus, if wood be soaked in a cold water solution of lime, 
more of the calcareous substance will be imbibed by the pores of 
the wood ; the sap and other vegetables of the wood will also be 
more fully exposed to the action of the lime-water, and more likelv 
to undergo the chemical changes which seem necessary for the 
preservation of the wood, than when put into a boiling solution of 
lime-water. 
The same editor states that he is unacquainted with any facts 
that confirm his opinion, that wood would derive more benefit, 
as to its future durability, by being steeped in a solution of 
lime in cold water. We are happy to supjjly some facts 
