Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/310

280] and a native of Scotland, Sweden, and Germany. This species also produces two varieties, viz. the Silver Fir, and the Balm of Gilead Fir. The former grows to a great height (in Germany sometimes rising to 180 feet), and has received that name from the white appearance of its leaves. It is very hardy, and will thrive in any situation; but prospers remarkably in a rich, loamy soil. The balm of gilead fir is eminently calculated for ornamental gardening, on account of the beauty of its form, and the fragrance of its foliage. It ought to be planted in a rich, good earth, as it grows best in a deep, black, sandy mould, where its roots have sufficient room to strike freely. From this variety exudes the resinous juice, erroneously called Balm of , on account of its possessing the same properties as that which is produced from the Pinus balsamea, or Hemlock-fir, a native of Virginia and Canada, but seldom cultivated in England. In common with the other turpentines obtained from the pine tribe, that of the balm of gilead fir is a hot, stimulating, and detergent medicine: small doses ot it have sometimes been successfully used in chronic rheumatisms and palsy.

The different species of fir are infested by a variety of insects: the most formidable ot these is a brown grub, about 4-10ths of an inch in length, which changes into a brownish moth, resembling those producing the grubs which infest apple and pear trees. These moths deposit their eggs in the heads or tops of the firs, where they are hatched in the month of May, when the young grubs eat their way into the leading branches, and consume the pith in their course. They continue their depredations till the beginning of June, when they assume the form of chrysalis, and lie in a torpid state till Midsummer, at which period they become perfect moths. As these insects multiply most rapidly, the greatest caution is necessary in planting firs, that they may not be propagated from an infected nursery; in which case it will be extremely difficult to extirpate the vermin. The only effectual method of destroying them is, to lop off, in the month of May, the branches thus infested; for after the trees have attained a height exceeding ten or fifteen feet, there is no remedy.  FIRE, is that subtle, invisible cause, which penetrates both solid and liquid matters with extreme facility, and renders them hot to the touch. It is also the chief agent, by which the composition and decomposition of natural bodies is generally effected; so that, without fire, the animal and vegetable kingdoms would cease to exist.

Various opinions have been maintained concerning the nature and properties of fire; for an account of which we are obliged to refer the reader to the works of, and ; as we propose to give a few illustrations connected with this subject, under the article.

Though designed to be subservient to the most useful purposes, fire frequently becomes a scourge to mankind; and, unless it be timely discovered, lays whole streets and towns in ashes. Flence the securing of houses and other buildings against this devouring element, has ever formed an important object of inquiry, while it has exercised the ingenuity of intelligent men: we shall briefly state a few of