511 
corroded by it, yet, unless in particular circumstances, it cannot be made to flame so as to commu¬ 
nicate it to other bodies. This quality of Larch wood was known in the time of Julius Caesar, 
who calls it lignum igni impenetrabile: and Mr. Harte observes, that there is perhaps no instance of 
the cottages in Carniola being set on fire, though they are so careless as to throw flaming firebrands 
on their roofs.* This seems to contradict what was said above with relation to Switzerland; but I 
apprehend that more of the houses of that country are built of Fir than of Larch. Duhamel how¬ 
ever, in confirmation of Mr. Miller’s opinion, says, that the resinous substance in Larch trees is 
looked upon to be very combustible, and therefore there is a public order in the district near 
Briancon, that houses built with it should never join, but stand at a certain distance.Or rather 
Mr. Miller copied from Duhamel. 
Matthiolus informs us, that unwilling as this wood may be to take fire, yet it is no ways difficult 
to bum it in kilns, glass-houses and furnaces belonging to iron-works, when once the inside of these 
receptacles is rendered intensely hot. Such is the practice in the iron-works of Stiria and the 
bishopric of Trent, where this wood is of singular use, when there is heat sufficiently fierce and 
strong to penetrate it forcibly. On this point, says Mr. Harte, experience alone can lead us to 
adopt the true opinion. Though I have carefully looked over this learned author’s essays, yet 
I cannot find what Dr. Anderson quotes from them, on the incombustibility of the Carniolian 
cottages. 
To the other uses of Larch wood, Mr. Harte adds, that because it is not liable to be warped or 
to be attacked by worms, the Italians use it for back-boards, to place behind fine drawings, when 
they frame and glass them; as also for picture-frames, table-frames, &c. because no other wood 
gives gilding such force, brightness, and as it were a sort of natural burnishing; and this is the main 
secret why Italian gilding on wood is so greatly preferable to ours, which has often a tarnished 
spongy cast; and looks likes gingerbread. The Italians also prefer it for making the wheels of post- 
chaises and other carriages, as being very durable and unapt to crack. No boards make better 
wainscotting, or take paint better. The application of it to shingles for covering barns and other 
outhouses would be invaluable in these kingdoms. The look of it would be far better than thatch; 
neither rains would rot it, nor winds ruffle it; and if it will not easily catch fire, it is a great addi¬ 
tional recommendation. Whereas thatch is liable to all these accidents, and harbours sparrows, 
insects, cobwebs, dust and•all sorts of foulness, to the great detriment of the grain: and though 
thatch be cheaper at first, it is dearer in the long run than tiling or slating. The shingles in the 
Orisons are half an inch thick and a foot square: being of a tough nature and nailed down 
to the rafters, they are not liable to the inconvenience of being broken by forks, like tiles or 
slates 4 
On account of the valuable qualities of the wood therefore, the Larch deserves to be cultivated 
in this country. Another recommendation of it is, its quickness of growth. Eight trees being mea¬ 
sured in the spring and autumn of the year 1794, the average of their increase in height was nearly 
three feet nine inches and a quarter; and one of them increased three inches in circumference at 
two feet above the ground. In another plantation, the trees at eight years growth measured above 
twenty feet in height on an average; the trees were from six to nine inches high when planted. At 
twelve years old they measured, on an average from thirty-four to thirty-six feet in height. This 
plantation was on a good soil and in a favourable situation. 
Nor is it only while the tree is young that it makes these vigorous shoots; for it appears by the 
* Sect. III. p. 370, &c. 
f Harte, Essay L p. 1.51. 
* Ibid, p, 150. 
