INTRODUCTION. xi 



probably increase to such a degree as not only to ren- 

 der the labors of the cultivators wholly unavailing, 

 but to cut down and destroy the native forests. It is 

 surely good policy to secure the cooperation of men 

 of science against enemies so formidable and so irresis- 

 tible. The observations of Linnaeus saved the timber, 

 in the dock-yards of Sweden, from ruin. It is not 

 impossible that living or future observers may show us 

 the means of protecting the locust from the borer and 

 the apple tree from the canker worm. 



The reports contained in the present volume were 

 presented to Governor Everett, during the session of 

 1838-9, and ordered to be printed and distributed by 

 the following Resolve of April 9th, 1839 : 



" Resolved , That the governor is hereby authorized 

 to procure the publication of fifteen hundred copies of 

 the reports which he has received, or may hereafter 

 receive, under the resolve of the twelfth of April, in the 

 year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, pro- 

 viding for a further geological, mineralogical, botanical 

 and zoological survey of the Commonwealth ; and to 

 draw his warrant, with the advice and consent of the 

 council, upon the treasurer of the Commonwealth, for 

 such sums as may be necessary for that purpose. 



" Resolved, That the said copies, when published, be 

 delivered to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to be 

 distributed in the following manner : twelve copies to 

 the governor ; six copies to the lieutenant governor ; 

 one copy to each member of the council, senate, and 

 house of representatives ; one copy each to the secre- 

 tary, treasurer, and to each clerk and chaplain of the 

 two houses ; one copy to the secretary and one to each 

 member of the board of education ; twenty copies to the 



