xX 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER III. 
THE WOODS. 
The Habitable Earth Originally Wooded—General Meteorological Influence 
of the Forest—Electrical Action of Trees—Chemical Influence of 
Woods—Trees as Protection against Malaria—Trees as Shelter to 
Ground to the Leeward—Influence of the Forest as Inorganic on 
Temperature—Thermometrical Action of Trees as Organic—Total 
Influence of the Forest on Temperature—Influence of Forests as In- 
organic on Humidity of Air and Earth—Influence as Organic—Balance 
of Conflicting Influences—Influence of Woods on Precipitation—Total 
Climatic Action of the Forest—Influence of the Forest on Humidity 
of Soil—The Forest in Winter—Summer Rain, Importance of—In- 
fluence of the Forest on the Flow of Springs—Influence of the Forest 
on Inundations and Torrents—Destructive Action of Torrents—Floods 
PAGE 
of the Ardéche—Excavation by Torrents—Extinction of Torrents— . 
Crushing Force of Torrents—Transporting Power of Water—The Po 
and its Deposits—Mountain Slides—Forest as Protection against 
Avalanches—Minor Uses of the Forest—Small Forest Plants and 
Vitality of Seeds—Locusts do not Breed in Forests—General Func- 
tions of Forest—General Consequences of Destruction of—Due Propor- 
tion of Woodland—Proportion of Woodland in European Countries— 
Forests of Great Britain—Forests of France—Forests of Italy— 
Forests of Germany—Forests of United States—American Forest 
Trees—Huropean and American Forest Trees Compared—The Forest 
does not furnish Food for Man—First Removal of the Forest—Prin- 
cipal Causes of Destruction of Forest—Destruction and Protection of 
Forests by Governments—Royal Forests and Game-laws—Effects of 
the French Revolution—Increased Demand for Lumber—Effects of 
Burning Forest—Floating of Timber—Restoration of the Forest— 
Economy of the Forest—Forest Legislation—Plantation of Forests 
in America—Financial Results of Forest Plantations—Instability 
DEVAMPTICAD TILE I, oct ss ws fe, sleccisie SE miele mioidia cite’ Bene sete) s atime 
CHAPTER IV. 
THE WATERS. 
Land Artificially Won from the Waters—Great Works of Material Improve- 
ment—Draining of Lincolnshire Fens—Incursions of the Sea in the 
Netherlands—Origin of Sea-dikes—Gain and Loss of Land in the Neth- 
erlands—Marine Deposits on the Coast of Netherlands—Draining of 
Lake of Haarlem—Draining of the Zuiderzee—Geographical Effects of 
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