S^Q EEID ON THE ECOMOMY OF TIMBER. 



of enormous thickness— thundering, tearing, levelling, plowing 

 — flowing slowly, majestically, continuously, while ages roll. 



It is now the climax of desolation and destruction. — Slowly, but 

 surely the dismal Empire declines, and after the lapse of ages, it 

 passes away. Mountains have become plains, plains have become 

 lake basins, and river channels. Around are roches montonnes 

 and blocs perches — rock surfaces polished and striated. Drift ac- 

 cumulations cover the sides of mountains, obscure the rocks of 

 plains and valleys. Our boulder has now an individuality — the 

 result of glacial action, although it is still obscured by overlying 

 drift. The glacial debris becomes the soil of noble forests. These 

 with lakes and rivers adorn the scene of former desolation. A colony 

 ' of giant mammals, from the south, descendants of the pre-glacial 

 races, roam through the forests, and recline on the lake margins. 

 The red man appears, and possibly exterminates the Mastodon 

 Ohioticus of Cape Breton, becoming the lord of the forest, with its 

 new race of mammals — Moose, Carribou, Foxes — black and red — 

 Bear, Wolf, Loupcervier and Wild Cat. 



Acadians arrive and divide occupation with the Micmac. The 

 Briton comes and assumes the supremacy. He takes possession of 

 the land, builds a city, erects towns and villages, constructs roads 

 and railways, exposes our boulder to the eye and hammer of the 

 Geologist, who having read its history, leaves it. Henceforth^ 

 *' Requiescat in pace. ^^ 



Aet. XII. The Economy of Timber and Preservation of 

 Structures from Fire and Decay. By A. P. Reid, 

 .M. D., M. R. C. S., Edin. &c. &c. &o, 



ECONOMY OF TIMBER. 



This subject should receive the greatest consideration from us at 

 present, as our lands are being rapidly cleared of their timber, and 

 more for foreign than home use. This though helping to swell our 

 exports, and bring financial wealth into the country, is not an un- 

 mixed benefit, for we are squandering a patrimony in a way that 



