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with small patches of forest, mostly of oak and beech 

 and other mixed deciduous trees, maple and ash being 

 the chief subordinate species. 



Of the vast forests which undoubtedly once covered 

 a large portion of the land there remains less than 

 in most continental countries; indeed, except in some 

 remote parts of Scotland and Wales it is doubtful whether 



Fig 114. A forest clearing planted with rye and bordered 

 with elms. 



there remains any genuine vestige. The existing woods 

 have all been planted. 



Above the plains and lower hills rise the uplands and 

 highlands, which have also been entirely denuded of 

 their original covering, and whose actual vegetation con- 

 sists of moorlands and hill pastures. It is possible to 

 trace four main zones of altitude: the lowest zone is 

 that of the beech woods and lowland oak woods; the 



