234 TAR, PITCH. 
too expensive, oil of turpentine, the taste of which in 
a slight degree resembles that of juniper, is applied to 
the same purpose; and considerable quantities of tur- 
pentine are thus consumed. The common resin is used 
in plasters, for which its great adhesiveness renders it 
peculiarly applicable. It is also of considerable im- 
portance in the arts ; and musicians rub the bows and 
strings of violins with it, to take off the greasy particles 
which are there collected, as well as to counteract the 
effects of moisture. Yellow resin is used in plasters, 
and for other purposes in medicine. 
Tar is obtained from the roots and refuse parts of the 
fir-tree, by cutting them into billets, piling these, in a 
proper manner, in pits or ovens formed for the purpose, 
covering them partly over, and setting them on fire. 
During the burning, a black and thick matter, which is 
the tar, falls to the bottom, and is conducted thence 
into vessels which are placed to receive it, and from 
which it is afterwards poured into barrels for sale. 
Tar is an article of great utility in manufactures, and 
for various economical purposes. It is much employed 
for smearing the rigging, and other external parts of 
ships, to prevent their receiving injury from moisture. 
It has been used in medicine both internally and ex- 
ternally ; and particularly tar-water, or water impreg- 
nated with tar, was, some years ago, a popular remedy 
in various disorders, but its virtues have been too much 
extolled. Although considerable quantities of tar are 
prepared in this country, these are insufficient to supply 
the demand ; consequently we, every year, import great 
quantities of it from Russia, Sweden, America, and 
other countries. 
Pitch is usually made by melting together coarse 
hard resin and an equal quantity of tar ; or, as some 
writers state, by boiling tar with a certain portion of 
water, until it becomes so thick that, on cooling, it 
forms a hard black mass. 
By the ancients pitch was much employed for giving 
flavour and fragrance to their wines. With us it is of 
