THE WOODLANDS. 43 



CHAPTER III. 



SMALL TREES, SHRUBS, AND COPPICE. 



IN addition to the timber trees which adorn our 

 parks, flourish in the remains of our ancient forests,, 

 or are cultivated in woods and plantations, there are 

 numerous smaller trees, which seldom proceed be- 

 yond a shrubby undergrowth, but in this capacity 

 often constitute a dense cover. These shrubs vary 

 much in different localities as the soil varies, in some 

 instances being almost composed of a single, or at 

 most of two or three species, and in others consisting 

 of a great variety. Oak, ash, chestnut, and some 

 other large trees are not uncommonly employed as 

 coppice, but beyond these there are a goodly number 

 which seldom or never aspire to the dignity of trees. 

 The character and extent of undergrowth has a con- 

 siderable influence on the animal life of woodlands. 

 It is useless expecting to find insects in woods which 

 do not furnish the plants on which the larvae feed ; 

 and birds which build in low shrubs may, in default 

 of finding such shelter, resort to hedges, but are not 

 likely to accept forest trees as a substitute. Herba- 

 ceous plants, and even fungi, have great dependence 



