LEGISLATION SUBSEQUENT TO "CHARTA FORESTA." 231 



first day of April and last day of June, upon pain of 

 forfeiture of every such oak tree, or double the value 

 thereof. And by sect. 21, for the better preservation of 

 timber, (which by the takers is spoiled through the desire 

 of gain, from the top and lop, or bark of timber trees), it 

 is therefore enacted that no taker, purveyor, &c., or their 

 deputies, shall fell for the use of the crown, any oak tree 

 meet to be barked, but in the barking season, except for 

 the purposes before mentioned; or take or receive any profit, 

 gain, or commodity, by any top, or lop, or bark of any tree to 

 be taken or cut out of the barking season ; and then only 

 those for the king's house or ships, under pain of for- 

 feiture to the party aggrieved (or on whose grounds the 

 tree may be cut) for every tree so felled forty shillings : 

 and it shall be lawful for every party, of whom such tree 

 shall be taken to retain all the bark, top, and lop of the 

 whole of such trees, notwithstanding any commission or 

 other matter. 



" The 15th of Charles II., chap. 2, is an act to render the 

 43d of Elizabeth more effective ; and it enacts farther 

 punishment, on account that the destruction of wood tends 

 to destroy the commonwealth. It is therein declared that 

 the officers of justice may apprehend even on suspicion of 

 having carried, or in any way conveyed any burden or 

 bundle of wood of any kind, underwood, poles, young trees, 

 bark, or bast of any tree, gate, stile, post, rail, or hedgerow, 

 wood, broom, or furze. And by warrant from a justice of 

 the peace they may enter their houses or premises, to 

 search and apprehend, even on suspicion, either the carrier 

 or the receiver. For the first offence on conviction, to be 

 fined at the discretion of the justice, not exceeding ten 

 pounds, or be sent to the house of correction for any 

 time not exceeding one month ; or be whipped. For the 

 second offence the offender is to be sent to the house of 

 correction for one month ; for the third he is to be deemed 

 an incorrigible rogue. The buyers of an} 7 wood from sus- 

 picious persons are to be fined treble the value of such wood, 

 or be committed to prison for one month without bail. 



