324 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



is worthy the attention of those desirous of, or in 

 any way interested in, the introduction and cultivation 

 of valuable forest trees. It really makes not a parti- 

 cle of difference to the people of to-day whether the 

 island was covered with a forest at the time of its dis- 

 covery or not. It must be patent to the most obtuse 

 that more trees are needed on the island for fuel, if for 

 no other purpose. That they can be grown, both for- 

 est and fruit trees, has been proved; and why more 

 attention has not been paid to the subject is unac- 

 countable to the visitor. It is only another exhibition 

 of that indifference and apathy which marks the peo- 

 ple of Nantucket to-day. The compiler sincerely 

 hopes that a move looking to the introduction and 

 propagation of several varieties of trees will soon be 

 made, as he believes that they will not only be condu- 

 cive to the health of the island, but ultimately prove a 

 great source of revenue. 



Had our forefathers exercised the same intelligence 

 and forethought about protecting the trees which they 

 found here as they did about most things, Nantucket 

 need never have sent abroad for a foot of wood for 

 fuel, and she might to-day be building ships of native 

 wood. 



TUCKERNUCK. 



Tuckernuck, alias Tuckanuckett (a loaf of bread), 

 is a small island lying a few miles to the westward of 

 the island of Nantucket. It was deeded by Thomas 

 Mayhew in 1659 to " Tristram Coffin S r , Peter Coffin, 

 Tristram Coffin J r , and James Coffin, to them and their 

 Ileyres forever, ffor and in consideracon of y - just 



