144 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



went up and down the river; and one of the vessels engaged In the battle of Lake Erie, 

 was built at Old Portage, six miles north of Albion, and floated down to the lake. Now, 

 in an ordinary stage of water, a canoe or skiff can hardly pass down the stream. Many 

 a boat of 50 tons burden has been built and loaded in the Tuscarawas at New Portage 

 and sailed to New Orleans without breaking bulk. Now, the river hardly affords a sup- 

 ply of water at New Portage for the canal. The same may be said of other streams. 

 They are drying up, and, from the same cause, the destruction of our forests, our sum- 

 mers are growing dryer and our winters colder." 



Cautegril gives an almost conclusive example, occurring in the province of Langbru- 

 griere, France. " The inhabitants of this commune had long been noted for their opposi- 

 tion to forest laws. A forest of some 4,000 to 5,000 acres covering a mountainous slope, 

 has consequently been almost cut away. A stream upon which were several mills, drains 

 this commune. As the forest was cut away, it was found that the floods were much 

 more violent, and dangerous, while in the summer there was not water to supply the 

 needed power. Since 1340 a new system has been initiated. The forest is carefully pro- 

 tected, and new plantations are continually made. In proportion to the restoration of 

 the forest, the condition of the manufactories has become less and less precarious, and 

 the action of the water is completely modified. There are no longer sudden and violent 

 floods, and the mills are no longer forced to suspend work in summer." 



But I can not give further Illustrations within the limits of this essay. Sufficient have 

 been given to show the effect man may have upon the flow of water, and the consequent 

 climatic changes. Owing, as is believed, to the stripping of the hills and mountains of 

 trees, the provinces of Dauphiny, Avignon, and Provence in S. E. France, are decreas- 

 ing in productiveness, in population, and in wealth, in such a manner as to call forth the 

 most serious investigations of the government. The streams become torrents, the rains 

 wash down the soil from the steeper hillsides, and what once was the abode of plenty, 

 has become desolate and barren. 



Forests have another effect which may be noticed ; and consequently by their destruc- 

 tion, man causes change. They not only retain moisture, and make its flow more equa- 

 ble and constant, but they protect from extreme heat or cold. As a defence against the 

 violence of winds, they are of great utility. The R. R. engineer tells us that there is a 

 very sensible diminution of fuel, while running through a region sheltered by trees. We 

 all know that the ground does not freeze to so great a depth in the forest as in the open 

 ground. While in New England it is not uncommon for the first snow to fall, before the 

 ground in the forest is frozen, and to remain all winter, the ground thus being complete- 

 ly protected. 



While it is not pretended that man can change the duration of summer or winter, 

 and alter the sequence of the seasons, yet it is generally admitted that he can greatly 

 modify and partially control their effects upon himself. By the changes produced by 

 him prevalent diseases are modified or driven away altogether. Malarial diseases are 

 especially under his control. Ague is hardly known now in New England. It was 

 formerly prevalent there, especially in the valley of the Connecticut ; but the cultiva- 

 tion of the soil, drainage, etc., have driven it away. Thus, in the West and South, it 

 is gradually retiring before these influences. So with yellow fever ; its field is becom- 

 ing more circumscribed, and its type less virulent, as man guards against the causes 

 which cherish it. New Orleans under Butler, may be cited as a striking instance. 

 Under his vigorous rule, the strictest cleanliness was observed. As was said by many, 



