Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Arvenusly

ARVENUSLY, or Pinus Cembra, L. is a species of pine, which is principally found in Siberia, and on the Alpine mountains. Its branches those of the pitch-tree, which is commonly called spruce-fir. The leaves are of a striated form, about three inches in length, and the fruit about the size of a large hen's egg, containing kernels covered with a brown skin, which, when peeled, are as large as a common pea, white and soft as a blanched almond, and of an agreeable taste.

The arvenusly is applied to various purposes of useful and domestic economy. Its planks afford excellent wainscoting, flooring, and other materials for joiners; are of a finer grain, more beautifully variegated, and of a more agreeable smell, than deal. The white wood has a very pleasant fragrance; and when made into shelves, is said to possess the remarkable property of keeping away moths and other insects. It also furnishes excellent fuel for stoves, ovens and kilns; but is dangerous when used in grates, being liable to splinter, and throw out sparks to a considerable distance. From the resinous parts of this tree, is distilled a fragrant oil, resembling in taste and flavour that of juniper, and possessing the same properties. An expressed oil is also obtained from the fruit, which, on account of its balsamic nature, has been recommended in consumptive cases; and the kernels are employed by the Swiss, as a substitute for mushrooms, in ragouts, and sometimes form a part of their deserts.

The arvenusly is of a healthy and vigorous nature, and will bear removing, when young, even in dry and warm weather. It likewise grows in great abundance on the most mountainous and coldest parts of the Brianconnois, where the natives call it alviez. It bears some resemblance to the Canada, or Weymouth pine.

This tree is the more valuable, as its timber is fit for the choicest furniture; and from its enormous height and size, when full grown, it would make excellent masts.—As the culture of this remarkable tree in no respect differs from the other species of the Pine, we refer to that article.

We have here subjoined a branch of the Arvenusly, of a reduced size, to distinguish it from other species of the same genus.