L AT both of which are employed ex- clusively tor ceiling and making partitions. They are farther dis- tinguished, viiC'i respect to their length, into_five-feet , jbur-feet, and three-feet laths, though die statute allows only laths of two lengths, namely, those of tive, and three- feet : each of these is directed to be an incii and a half in breadth, and half an inch in thickness. — For an excellent method of laying laths, so as to make them fire- proof the reader will consult p. 2S1 of our 2d volume. Laths are sold by the bundle, which is generally called a hun- dred; it should be observed, how- ever, that seven score, or 140, are computed in the hundred for tl.ree- feet latlis ; six score, or 120, in such as are four feet in length ; and for those which are denomi- nated five-feet, a fuU hundred, or fivescore. LATH-BRICKS are a pnrticu- lar kind of that art cle, made in the county of Staftbrd, and other parts of Bntain : they are 22 inches in length, and Q inches in breadth, being used as a substitute for laths o>' spars, and supported by pillars in casts, for the diying of malt. — This ex'dlentcontuvance deserves to be more gci'erally known ; for, independently of the security which lath-bricks alford against f.re, they retain beat much longer than wooden- laths; and, aft. r having been once thoroughly warmed j they require a very moderate tire, to preserve the proper temperature, LA'l'HE, a very useful engine for turn.ng Tvood, ivory, metals, and other hard substances. The invention of this instrument is of great r.ntiquity, for, according to Virgil, the ancients availed tiiemselves of it, informing various LAV [71 kinds of vases, which they enrich- ed with figures and ornaments in basso-relievo. — It is composed of two wooden cheeks or sides, paral- lel to the horizon, with a groove between them : perpendicular to these are two other pieces, called puppets, construfted ^o as to slide between the cheeks, having" two points meeting the opposite central sides or ends of the article intended to be won ed, so as to sustain it : thus, (he piece is turned round in both direrticns, by means of a cord attached to it, fastened above to the end of a pliable pole, and un- derneath to a treadle or board, which is moved by the foot. To such apparatus, a rest is also sub- joined, which supports the instru- ment, and keeps it steady. — This useful machine has lately been much improved, and we had an opportunity of comparing a variety of lathes manufattuicd of steel in the metropolis, a; d designed chiefly for private use and exercise j among which, for r.eat ess and simpiicity, we are inclined to give the preference to those contrived by Mr, Holtzaffel, an ingenious young artist, of Long-acre, With respett to the manner of applying this curious instrument to the various purposes to which it is adapted, we refer the reader to the article Turning, Lattin, or Latteti. See Block Tin. Laudanum, See Opium. LAVENDER, or Lavandula, L. an exotic genus of plants, compris- ing seven species ; the principal of which is the ipico. Lavender-spike, or Common Lavender : it flowers in the month of July, This herb may be easily propa- gated : in March or April, take a quantity of siipS) or "cuttings, from F 4 tliree
