THE PINE TREE. 171 
tations of recent formation, occupy a greater space by some 
thousands of acres than was covered with timber trees at any 
time during the present century. The following is an extract 
from the report on the pine forests of Scotland made by me to 
the Highland Society of Scotland in 1836, respecting Aber- 
nethy native forest :— 
“Tt is one of the most ancient in Scotland, and from time 
immemorial has been famed for the quality of its pine tim- 
ber. 
“Tt stands on the southern extremity of Morayshire, on the 
south side of the Spey. The water of Nethy winds through 
it, and is of the greatest importance to the forest, as it sup- 
plies water-power to the saw-mills, and floats the timber to 
the Spey, by which it is conveyed to the sea-port of Garmouth. 
The timber of this forest contains a large quantity of resin, 
and is therefore very inflammable. In the year 1746 a great 
proportion of 1t was burned down, but a large extent has pro- 
duced a new crop of excellent timber. The ground on which 
the forest stands is partly hilly and partly level; the smaller 
hills, and the sides of the larger to a considerable extent, 
being entirely covered with trees. The soil is of various 
qualities, but is principally composed of a thin sandy moss, 
with a subsoil of hard hazelly-coloured gravel, and in some 
parts it is a black mould mixed with white sand, and very 
stony. 
“ Along the banks of the Nethy I had an opportunity of 
seeing a great quantity of very fine timber, barked and pre- 
pared for floating; the largest of which measured 10 feet 
7 inches in length, 6 in girth at the root end, and 5 feet 2 
inches at the other end. The number of annual layers or 
rings at the root end indicated its age to be seventy-three 
years, and that at the upper end sixty-one years. The timber 
was of excellent quality, well-hearted, clean, and full of resin, 
and although from thirty-two to thirty-four of the last-formed 
rings composed the sapwood, yet it bore a comparatively 
small proportion to the bulk of the whole trunk, the trees 
having of late years made but little progress. Many of the 
