98 THE EXHIBITION AT PARIS. 



caisne, Milne-Edwards, Geoffroy St. Hilaire, Vicaire, Parlatore, The- 

 roulde, Focillon, etc. etc., were members of the Jury.* 



Time does not permit, and it would be tiresome for the noble mem- 

 bers of the Society were I to deliver a complete report of all the objects 

 of this Class. After having made some general remarks, I shall think 

 it necessary to confine my observations to Austrian products. 



As respects the First Section, there were but few things exhibited, 

 some quite ordinary maps of not extensive districts, concerning the 

 condition and extent of forests in the northern part of France, a zoo- 

 logical map and specimens of woods and Stones without particular 



interest. 



The Second Section, namely, " Economy and Eevenue of the Forest," 

 is that which offers the most interest. 



lm 



cessaries of life ; the consumption of fuel is a measure of the industry, 

 and therefore of the civilization, of nations. " Fuel is the greatest 

 wealth, the foundation of the power of a nation," says a celebrated 

 English political economist ; and consequently this object is worthy of 

 some consideration. Want of fuel in the old world is nowadays an 

 often discussed question; in Asia and Africa there are vast deserts 

 where once dwelt powerful nations under the shade of patriarchal trees ; 

 the south part of Europe is destitute of forests; there, where once 

 grew the woods celebrated in song by Homer and Virgil, are at present 

 nothing but naked rocks ; in France and England the need of wood 

 increases every year corresponding with the progress of industry and 

 the enlargement of commerce, but the indigenous productions of France 

 are very trifling, and in England there are scarcely any forests. 



The general want of wood, and the disadvantage arising from the 



ghtened iiovernm 



seek means for the restoration of the needful amount of forests, which 

 have led in some places to very satisfactory results, so that the restora- 

 tion of forests is at present a very important branch of the science of 

 forestry. It was pleasing to learn at the Exhibition at Paris, where 

 the experienced men of all nations were assembled as judges, that there 

 are in Germany the best foresters, that there exists the best economy 

 of the forest, and that there is obtained from its woods the most con- 



stant revenue. 



* We take lea 



Ed. 



