3o8 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



which, on the fide next the ground, are rather 

 rough than glofly, and which, fpreading horizon- 

 tally, form a deep fhade below, where there is not 

 the lead refledion of heat. I admit, at the fame 

 time, that the clearing away of forefts difpels the 

 coldnefs occafioned by humidity ; but it increafes 

 the dry and fharp colds of the North, as has been 

 found on the lofty mountains of Norway, which 

 were formerly cultivated, but are now uninhabi- 

 table, becaufe they are completely ftripped of their 

 woods. 



This clearing of the ground likewife increafes 

 the heat in warm countries, as I have had occafion 

 to obferve in the Ifle of France, on feveral parts 

 of the coaft, which are become fo parched, fmce 

 every fpecies of tree has been fwept away, that they 

 are at this day abfolutely uncultivated. The very 

 grafs which puflies away during the rainy feafon, 

 is in a (hort time quite burnt up by the Sun. 

 What is flill worfe, there refults from this parch- 

 ednefs of the coafts, the drying up of a great 

 many rivulets ; for the trees, planted on the heights, 

 attradt thither the humidity of the air, and fix it 

 there, as we (liall fee in the Study on Plants. Be- 

 lides, by deftroying the trees which are on the high 

 grounds, you rob the vallies of their natural ma- 

 nure, and the plains of the pallifades which fhelter 

 them from the high winds. Thefe winds defolate, 



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