

CHAPTER IX. 



THE GREAT FOREST REGION OF THE 

 TEMPERATE ZONE. 



Small Proportions of this Zone in the Southern Hemisphere. Its 

 Geographical Limits. The Bush Forest upon its Arctic Margin. In- 

 fluences of Ocean Breezes upon Tree Growth. The Primeval Forest of 

 Ancient Europe. Great Britain as a Forest Country. The Royal 

 Engineers as Forest Sappers. Forest Growths within the Arctic Circle. 

 The Primeval Forest of Canada. The Intense Severity of Winter before 

 the Clearances. The Influence of Human Agency in the Modification 

 of Climate. Evolution of Life upon Ocean Islands. Seeds conveyed by 

 Natural Agencies for Immense Distances. Mr. Darwin's Experiments. 

 Spring Arrivals of Geese in Canada with Rice in their Crops. Polar 

 Bears on an Iceberg at Sea. The Question of Islands being "Cuts off" 

 from Ancient Continents. The Irish Fossil Elk. A Norwegian Forest. 

 The Formation of Straight Poles. Modern Destruction of Ancient For- 

 est. The Process of Clearing the Forest in America. Ruthless De- 

 struction of Timber and Game. American Backwoods Settlements. 

 Making a "Deadening." Felling the Forest. "Making a Fall." Pre- 

 paring for a "Burning." Extraction of Stumps. Estimate of Expenses 

 in Clearing American Forest Lands. Dexterity of American " Lumber- 

 ers." The Forest in the Eastern United States now. Singing Birds 

 and Animal Life in the American Forest. Difficulties in finding Game 

 experienced by a New-Comer. Fatigue of Walking through Forests. 

 Alder Swamps and Thickets. Burnt Areas. "A Windfall." The 

 Track of a Hurricane. Game Paths. Forest Lakes. The "Fly Season." 

 Beelzebub or "The God of Flies." General Limits of the "Fly Time." 

 The Primeval Forests on the Pacific Coast of North America. Foliage 

 and Growths of Vegetation in the Tropical and Temperate Zones com- 

 pared. Their Timbers Contrasted from a Commercial Point of View. 

 British Naval Experiences of Timbers. Natural Arcades in the Forests 

 of N.W. America. Pine Needles. Undergrowths. Forest Ferns. Night 

 in a Forest Camp. Firelight Reflected on Silver Firs. The Forest Floor 

 a Nursery and a Tomb. Fallen Trees. Timber turning to Mould. The 

 Process of Change in Living Tissues. Infinite Variety of Life in a Great 

 Forest. Insects. Parasitic Growths. Lichens. Fungi. Mosses. The For- 

 est Soil. The Great Net-work of Roots. Ants. Insect Pests. Mos- 

 quitoes and Malaria. Fever and Ague in England in Ancient Times. 

 Insect Life in the Tree-Tops. Bees and Bee-Trees. Native Prophecies 

 in America and New Zealand respecting the White Man and his Im- 

 portations. Tree Life. American Forests Eastwards of the Mississippi. 



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