OF THE FOREST ORDINANCE OF 1669. 57 



The functions of the Capitaines de Ckasses related to the 

 chase, as the title indicates, and only indirectly, if at all, 

 to the maintenance of the forests or the prosecution of 

 what are understood by foresters as forest offences and 

 contravention of forest laws. 



And there were officers specially entrusted with like 

 duties in connection with the waters and fisheries con- 

 nected with the forest service. 



One of the works of officials frequently spoken of is 

 Reformations. Two distinct things are spoken of under the 

 phrase Reformations des Forets, the idea conveyed varying 

 with the object to be accomplished : the one is the 

 reparation of damages occasioned by the abuses and 

 malversations of officers, merchants, dwellers on the 

 precincts of forests, and usagers; the second is the re- 

 establishment of the order necessary for the conserva- 

 tion of the forest ; and the first embraced enquiry after 

 the delinquents, as well as forest operations to counter- 

 act the mischief done, 



Reference is made in the ordinance to woods held in 

 Grurie, Grairie, Tiers et Danger. The first were these in 

 which the woods and land belonged to individuals, but 

 the jurisdiction pertained to the king, and with it all 

 profit which might thence accrue, the right of fishing, 

 woods of the chase, and glandee or mast, including all the 

 fruits of the forest which are fit for the feeding of swine 

 all of these excepting that in some case, the right of 

 fishing and that of glandee may by legal deed have been 

 otherwise disposed of. Grairie and Segrarie are terms 

 synonymous with grurie, as already explained. 



Tiers et danger was a technical term applied to the right 

 of taking from the wood to which it was subject the third 

 and the tenth of what was sold, and this might be taken 

 either in money or in kind at the option of the lord 

 superior holding the right. 



These various rights have excited some curiosity in 



