28 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL 
various classes referred to, have really engaged in these inquiries 
with any use of rational means and of the aids which are attainable. 
It may even be true that they often think they understand, and 
adopt very strong opinions when they have not endeavoured to col- 
lect various facts, and to systematise their knowledge, much less to 
estimate properly the views of the great men who have devoted their 
time and all their powers to the subject. If this be so, we have the 
less difficulty in understanding the prevalence of many social evils 
and the formidable checks to sogial progress; but having contended 
that there is a science awaiti#@frour study, and that equally personal 
interest, patriotism and benevolence, urge us to apply to it, whilst 
the grounds upon which some profess to despise it, are utterly 
untenable, I have fulfilled my present purpose, and I fear more 
than sufliciently trespassed upon your patience and indulgence. 
DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE PRINCPAL CANADIAN 
TIMBER TREES. 
BY CHARLES ROBB, C. E. 
HAMILTON, C. W. 
In the present crisis in the history of Canada, the economic value 
of her various natural productions justly occupies a large share of 
public attention. As a slight contribution towards the general 
stock of useful knowledge on this head, the subjoined list of our 
principal timber trees has been drawn up. 
It has been the aim of the compiler to exhibit in a concise and 
conveniert form all the most interesting and valuable facts relative 
to the growth and distribution of the various trees—the purposes 
to which their respective products in the shape of timber or otherwise 
are or may be applied in the arts—and the nature and qualities of 
the timbers generally. It may be hoped that such an exposition of 
the value of our magnificent forests may conduce, in some measure, 
to a higher appreciation of their products—either as articles of 
export, by shewing the uses to which they may be applied in foreign 
countries—or as materials for our native industry, by pointing out 
