PREFACE. IX 



rather abandonment of law, however, in course of time 

 led to results of a still more disastrous nature, which 

 threatened the speedy and complete destruction of the 

 forests themselves. The attention of Government was 

 again seriously directed to the question ; but it was a 

 matter of time and "difficulty to establish a system of con- 

 servancy which would not infringe upon private rights. 

 The Forest Department was not organised until 1846, 

 under the superintendence of Dr Gibson, who ten years 

 afterwards published a short treatise, in which he gave 

 a historical sketch of the department from its commence- 

 ment. This handbook and Dr Falconer's " Eeport on the 

 Teak Forests of the Tenasserim Provinces"* are works 

 of the highest importance, especially to those interested 

 in the preservation of teak forests. ( 



Of all European nations, the English have been most 

 regardless of the value of forests, partly owing to their 

 climate, but chiefly because England has been so highly 

 favoured by vast supplies of coal; and the emigrants 

 to the United States have shown their indifference to this 

 subject by the reckless destruction of forests in that coun- 

 try, of which they now feel the want. It is extremely 

 desirable that correct information on this subject should 

 be promulgated among the revenue officers of India. The 

 publication of such works as those of Meaume and Du 

 Breuil in France, and of Hartig in Germany, show the 

 great importance that has been attached to Forestry in 

 those countries, where the population depends on wood 

 for fuel. 



If conservation be needful in temperate climates, how 



* Records of Bengal Government, No. ix. 1852. 



