“ In 1809, Larch timber, grown by bis grace the Duke of Athol, at Dunkeld, was first used in the 
British Navy at Woolwich, in the building of the Serapis storeship, the Sybille frigate, the bottom of a lighter, 
and for piles driven into the mud, alternately wet and dry ; and in all these situations proved a durable 
wood. The Athol, of twenty-eight guns, was also built entirely of Larch timber from his Grace’s estate ; 
and at the same time the Niemen, of the best Riga. After their first course of service, on being examined, 
the Niemen was found in a decayed state, and condemned accordingly ; whilst the Athol was again put into 
commission, and is at this time (December, 1832,) on a voyage to the West Indies. It was also remarked 
that, during the time this Larch timber lay in Woolwich dockyard, exposed to the weather, neither the 
heart nor the sapwood were in the least decomposed ; nor was there the slightest appearance of fungi grow- 
ing upon it.” 
It is not so buoyant, however, nor so elastic ; and as it does not dry so completely as pine ; boards of 
it are more apt to warp. It is, however, much more tough and compact ; and what are very valuable pro- 
perties, it approaches nearly to being proof, not only against water, but against fire. If the external timbers, 
and the principal beams of houses, were made of Larch, fires would not only be less frequent, but they 
would be far less destructive ; for, before a Larch beam be even completely charred on the surface, a beam 
of pine, or of dry oak, will be in a blaze beyond the ordinary means of extinguishment. Larch, however, is 
heavier to transport and elevate, and also much harder to work, than pine ; and as these circumstances are 
all against the profits of the builder, they probably prevent the introduction of this most safe and durable 
timber. The Venetian houses constructed of it show no symptoms of decay ; and the complete preser- 
vation of some of the finest paintings of the great masters of Italy is, in some respects, owing to the panels 
of Larch on which they are executed. 
The objects for which Larch timber seems preferable to every other, are chiefly these : — gates, palings, 
posts of all kinds that are inserted in the earth or in water, wooden buildings, many agricultural imple- 
ments, cottage furniture, bridges and gangways, carriages for transporting stones and all hard and rough 
materials, barrows for builders and road-makers, lighters, fenders, and embanking piles, lock and dock gates 
for canals and harbours, coal and lime waggons, vessels for carrying lime, pit-props, and hop-poles of the 
smaller thinnings. For all these purposes, and many minor ones. Larch would come considerably cheaper 
than any timber now in use ; and w'ould, in the average of them, last at least thrice as long, — the saving to 
the public would thus be immense ; and the lands upon which an abundant supply might be raised in every 
county, are at present lying idle. 
The bark of the Larch is nearly as valuable to the tanner as that of the oak. Venice turpentine is the 
produce of this tree; it also yields a gum which is known as that of Orenburg. This gum is said to issue 
from the heart- wood, while the turpentine comes from the cryptse of the bark; it is wholly soluble in water, 
like gum arabic, and supersedes its use in some few places. The mode in which this substance is com- 
monly procured is remarkable. It occasionally happens that whole forests of Larch, in different parts of 
the Russian empire, are consumed by fire, either accidently or wilfully ignited. During the combustion 
this gummy matter issues from the inner part of the trunk ; it is diligently collected by the natives, who 
esteem it a delicate food. It is also supposed to be an antiscorbutic. Exudations also are found on these 
firs which resemble manna, instead of which they are used, under the name of manna of Briancon ; but this 
manna is said not to have more than half the cathartic power of that of the East. 
The inner bark, when boiled, mixed with rye-flour, and buried for a few hours in the snow, furnishes 
the hardy Siberian hunters with a ferment, which they use instead of leaven, when that substance is spoiled, 
as it frequently is, by the severity of the cold. 
Venice Turpentine, a produce of this species of pine, is generally esteemed the best of the juices 
called Turpentines, after that of Pistachio Terebinthus. It is usually thinner than any sort, of a pale yel- 
lowish colour, and of a hot, pungent, bitterish taste. It is said to remain always, or at least a very long 
time, in a state of liquidity ; if it should at length become at all concrete, it is only on the edges, or sides 
of the vessel in which it maybe contained. This property is adverted to by Pliny, Lib. 16. c. 10. 
Besides Venice Turpentine, the Larch also yields the Orenburg Gum, of the Russian shops ; and, 
although it is used in no other country, it is described as a good substitute for Gum Arabic. It is very 
glutinous, rather dry, of a reddish colour, and a sub-resinous taste; but wholly soluble in water. The mode 
in which this substance is obtained is very remarkable. It sometimes happens that whole forests of Larch, 
in some parts of the Russian empire, are accidentally consumed by fire. During the combustion of the 
medullary part of the trunks, a gum issues forth, which is diligently collected by the natives, for the pur- 
pose, not only of rendering their bows glutinous, but also of being eaten as a delicacy. It is also supposed 
to act as an anti-scorbutic, and a useful astringent for the gums. 
Manna of the Larch ( Manna Larigna. Manne de Briancon.) About the month of June, when 
the sap of the Larch is most luxuriant, it produces small white drops, of a sweet, glutinous matter, like 
Calabrian manna. This manna is collected by the peasants, who go very early in the morning to the forests, 
before the sun dissipates it, and lop off, with hatchets, the branches that bear it; carrying them afterwards 
to the shade, where they can collect the grains at their leisure. The Venetians have many different names 
for the varieties of it; and in Dauphiny it has been very generally employed as a laxative; but it is said to 
possess not more than half the strength of that which is yielded by the Calabrian ash. 
In the Language of Flowers, the Larch is the emblem of boldness. 
