CHAP, vii SYLVA 201 



might easily be performed by deputies in every 

 county ; persons judicious and skilful in husbandry ; 

 and who might be repair'd to for advice and direction; 

 And if such there are at present (as indeed our laws 

 seem to provide) that their power be sufficiently 

 amplified where any thing appears deficient ; and as 

 their zeal excited by worthy encouragements, so 

 might neglects be encounter'd by a vigilant and 

 industrious check. It should belong to their province, 

 to see that such proportions of timber, &c. were 

 planted and set out upon every hundred, or more of 

 acres, as the Honourable Commissioners have suggest- 

 ed ; or as might be thought convenient, the quality 

 and nature of the places prudently considered : It 

 should be their office also to take notice of the growth 

 and decay of woods, and of their fitness for publick 

 uses and sale, and of all these to give advertisements, 

 that all defect in their ill governing may be speedily 

 remedied ; and the superior officer or surveyor, should 

 be accountable to the Lord Treasurer, and to the 

 principal officers of his Majesty's Navy for the 

 time being : And why might not such a regulation 

 be worthy the establishing by some solemn and 

 publick Act of State, becoming our glorious Prince, 

 SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS ; and his prudent senate, this 

 present Parliament ? 



But to shew how this xylotrophlae studium for the 

 preservation of timber was honour'd, 



29. We find in Aristotle's Politics ', * the constitution 



1 De collegiis fabrorum, centonariorum,' dendrophororum, navicularior.,ratium 

 exercitor., & caudicariorum, plurimae extant inscriptiones apud Lipsium in lib. 

 inscrip. antiq. quales Bergomensium, Brixianor., Comensium, Lugdunens., 

 Avaricorum & Rhodanicor. eorumque corporum, & collegiorum patronis curato- 

 ribus. Vide etiam Hieron. Rubeum lib. i. Hist. Ravennat. Item de Dendrophoris 

 Lod. Theodos. lib. i. & 2. iisdem verbis inscripto : Morisot. Orb. Marit. 

 lib. i. cap. 24. 



ZZ 



