172 WOODS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



world England occupies, you cannot be surprised 

 that the native trees are comparatively few in 

 number; and I ought to have mentioned to you 

 before, that the proportion of trees to herbaceous 

 plants is much greater in hot countries than in 

 temperate and cold climates. But it is singular, 

 that in some parts of North America, though the 

 average climate is colder than that of England, the 

 vegetation is richer. In the United States alone, 

 it is supposed that more species are found, of the 

 single genus Quer'cus, or oak, than there are, of 

 different genera in the whole of Europe. 



Trees grow in such profusion in many parts of 

 North America, that great pains are taken to 

 destroy them. The ground cannot be tilled, nor 

 can the inhabitants support themselves, until the 

 trees are removed ; and the person who cuts down 

 the largest number, and makes the fields about his 

 house most free from wood, is looked upon as 

 the greatest improver in the country. I have 

 heard that when some Americans landed on a part 

 of the north-west coast of Ireland, which we should 

 consider as very desolate and dreary, they expressed 

 the greatest surprise and pleasure at the beauty and 

 improved state of a country, "so" clear of trees." 



EDWARD. 



What curious things you tell me ! I thought, at 

 first, that botany would teach me only the names 

 and shape of plants. 



