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—Thermo- 
metrical action of trees as organic—Total influence of the forest on 
temperature—Influence of forests as inorganic 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—Influence of the forest on the flow of springs—Influence 
of the forest on inundations and torrents—Destructive action of torrents 
—Floods 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 functions of forest—Goneral 
consequences of destruction ef—Due proportion of woodland—Propor- 
tion 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 re- 
moval of the forest—Principal causes of destruction of forest—Destruc- 
tion 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 of American 
life. 
The Habitable Harth originally Wooded. 
TueEre is good reason to believe that the surface of the habi- 
table earth, in all the climates and regions which have been 
the abodes of dense and civilized populations, was, with few 
exceptions, already covered with a forest growth when it first 
