THE PINE LANDS— THEIR FLORA AND FAUNA. 



BY SARAH C. HILLMAN.* 



The expression, "Down in the Pines," to many simply 

 implies far-off, desolate regions, insignificant, unproductive — 

 except for discomfort, and hence unworthy of a second 

 thought. What a pitiable misconception ! The innocent 

 ignorance of such a conclusion challenges one's sympathy. 

 Admitting the variety of tastes, certainly, among the pines, 

 the most fastidious person would not lack objects of interest, 

 both numerous and instructive, far more than enough to 

 remunerate him for a journey of a few miles to their habitation. 



One need go no further than Clementon to be in the edge 

 of the great pine belt of southeastern New Jersey, which, in 

 Camden County, includes Winslow, Atco, Jackson, Blue 

 Anchor, etc. 



In the pine belt are the uplands, the light, dry, sandy soil 

 of which is adapted to the growth of the pine ; the savannas, 

 which will not produce timber ; and the swamps. Most of 

 the streams of the pine belt are fringed with cedar swamp, 

 varying from a few feet to miles in width. There are also 

 thousands of acres of mixed pine and deciduous swamp. 



The pine family belongs to the order Conife?-a', and com- 

 prises some of the most important timber trees, and the prin- 

 cipal evergreen trees of northern climates. 



Surprises constantly await the traveller among the pines. 

 The variety, the abundance, and the iicglige arrangement, as 

 it were, charm by their harmony and naturalness. Here are 

 brooks, pools of uncertain depth, and great lagoons of ink}' 

 water. Here, too, is the delicious spring, to animate the 

 sight-seer's drooping aspirations. Half-hidden by the tangled 

 undergrowth, and silently wending its secluded path, is the 

 quiet stream. Fed and expanded by springs and tricklings 

 from the porous sand and gravel, the streamlet finall3^ emerges 



* Of the Haddonfield Natnnil Science Club. 



