FORESTRY OF JAPAN. 1 9 



formation of forests. There are as many as 600 species of 

 forest trees, of which those occupy important position in forest 

 economy number some scores. 



The forests in Japan may be classified to four zones such 

 as Torrid Forest Zone, Tropical Forest Zone, Temperate 

 Forest Zone, and Frigid Forest Zone. 



1. The forests in the Torrid Forest Zone cover the 

 entire of Formosa, the southern half of the Luchu 

 islands, the Yaeyama islands, and the Bohnine islands. In 

 reference to the altitude, these forests are found in the 

 places below 500 metres above sea level in Niitaka-yama, 

 Formosa, where average annual temperature is over 21 C. In 

 forests belonging to this zone, Ako {Ficus Wight iana Wall. var. 

 japonica Miq.), Tako-no-ki [Pandanus odratissimus L.), Ryu- 

 gan (Nephelium Longana Camb.)> Binroji (Arcca Catechu L.), 

 Tsugu {Arenga saccharifera Labill.), Basho {MusaBasjoo Sicb.) y 

 and bamboo make perfect developments. Bamboos are grown 

 everywhere in these districts and their growth being vigorous, 

 produce bamboos of large size. These bamboos being strong 

 in their quality, are much utilized as materials for various kinds 

 of wares and buildings. 



2. The Tropical Forest Zone comprises Shikoku, and 

 Kyushu as well as the northern part of the Luchu islands 

 covering the southern part of Honshu, south of 36 North 

 Latitude. In regard to the altitude, the forests of this zone 

 are found in districts below 1,900 metres above sea level in 

 Formosa, 850 metres in Kyushu, and 500 metres in Tsukuba- 

 san, Hitachi, the average yearly temperature ranging from 13 

 C. to 21 C. in this zone. 



