FORESTRY IN FRANCE. 225 
The private forests resemble those of the communes rather than 
those which are State property, but a further comparison in this 
respect between them and the other classes of forest need not be 
made at present. 
Many circumstances combine together to influence the nature of 
the vegetable growth, which characterises any particular locality. 
Thus, a “ limestone soil,” which is one containing more than four or 
five per cent. of carbonate of lime, is usually marked by a rich 
and varied vegetation; while on a silicious soil the flora is much more 
simple and uniform, the undergrowth being often formed of Bilberry 
(Vaccinium myrtillus), broom, and heather. Forty-four per cent. of 
the French forests are on limestone. But the principal forest trees are 
not much affected by the chemical composition of the soil—the two 
deciduous oaks, the beech, hornbeam, silver fir, spruce fir, and larch, 
being classed as “indifferent” to it. The evergreen oak, however, 
shows a preference for limestone; and the Scotch pine flourishes 
best on a silicious soil ; but the maritime pine will not grow on 
limestone. The climate, which varies with the latitude, altitude, 
amount and distribution of the rainfall, proximity, or otherwise of 
the sea, and other conditions, is the principal factor in determining 
the distribution of trees, each of which finds its home in the locality 
which best suits its temperament. The hot region of the south, 
the temperate regions of the north and centre, and the mountains, 
are each characterised by the spontaneous vegetation to which 
they are adapted. Thus, in the south, are found the evergreen 
oak and the maritime pine; while the spruce, the silver fir, 
and the larch inhabit the mountains; and the five other species 
mentioned, grow chiefly in the temperate region. The physical 
condition of the soil also exercises an important influence on the 
growth and local distribution of trees; for example, Quercus 
pedunculata, and the hornbeam, will grow on moist soil, which does 
not suit either Quercus sessiliflora, the beech, or the evergreen oak. 
During the entire course of their development, trees of all kinds 
require light; but during the early stages of their existence, some of 
them must be completely in the open, without any cover at all; 
while for others, various degrees of shade are necessary. This 
quality of the young plants is, generally speaking, in direct relation 
to the abundance of the foliage of the adult tree from which they 
spring. Those which, when young, require much light, such as 
the larch, the pines, and the oaks, are called ‘‘ robust,” or trees of 
light cover, while others, which will not stand exposure, such as the 
