PART II. 



DEVASTATINa AND DESTRUCTIVE TREATMENT OF 



ENGLISH FORESTS, AND MEASURES TAKEN TO 



ARREST THIS. 



The forests and woodlands of the present day in England 

 are but scattered remains of much more extensive forests 

 and woodlands which existed formerly. It may be the 

 case that it is matter of rejoicing that where there was 

 once only densely-wooded forest land, there are now the 

 fruitful field and scenes of busy industry, and marts of 

 commerce, and delectable habitations. But the fact that 

 these lands were once, like the greater part of Europe, 

 throughout their whole extent what the Romans desig- 

 nated a silva liorrida — a rough and rugged wood, in which 

 dwelt the wild men of the wood — the savages of their day 

 — is a fact which demands our attention in considering 

 forests and forestry of England. 



Of the existence of woods and woodlands in places in 

 •which there are no woods now, we have evidence in names 

 of places indicative of the former wooded condition of these 

 places — in historical notices of woods and forests which 

 have in like manner disappeared — in existing remains of 

 former woods and forests buried deep in peat bogs and 

 marshes, and buried in dry lands which were once in that 

 condition — and in remains of others submerged in the sea. 

 We have, moreover, indications of some of these buried 

 trees having grown in the locality in which they were 

 found,! at or before the time of the Roman invasion; and 

 by historical notices and forest legislation, we can trace 

 some of the changes which have been going on from that 

 time to the present. 



