§^ An Hîjlorical Journal of 



hungry. But this is at leail certain, that it does no Harm to 

 thofe that eat it. 



I know not. Madam, whether I fhould undertake to fpcak to 

 nf iU W ^ you of the Woods of Canada, We are in the 

 Canada ^'^^^ greateft Forefcs in the World, 



y * In all Appearance they are as old as the 



World itfelf, and were not planted by the Hands of Men. No- 

 thing is more magnificent to the Sight ; the Trees lofe îhem- 

 feîves in the Clouds ; and there is fuch a prodi8;ious Variety of 

 Species, that even among thofe Perfons who have taken molt 

 Pains to know them^ there is not one perhaps that knows 

 half the Number. As to their Quality, and the Ufes to which 

 they may be employed, the Sentiments are fo différent in this 

 Country, and in France^ that I even defpair of ever being able 

 to give you that Satisfadion which I could wiih upon this Article : 

 At leail, for the prefent, 1 muft confine iwyîtlï to fome Obferva- 

 tions which I have made myfelf, and have had from other Peo- 

 ple, who have more Skill and Experience in this Matter than 

 myfelf. 



What Uruck my Sight moft the firil Time I came into this 

 OfthetujoS"' Country, were the Pines, the Firs, and the 

 '^^^ Cedars, v/hich are of furprizing Height and 



aes Dj tines. Bignefs. There are here two Sorts of Pines. 



They all produce a Rofin which is very fit to make Pitch and 

 Tar : The white Pines, at leaft fome of them, have at the very 

 Tops of them a Kind of Muiliroom, which the Inhabitants call 

 Guarigue^ and which the Savages make Ufe of with Siiccefs 

 againft Dif rders of the Breafc and Bloody-Fluxes. The red 

 Pines are fuUell: of Gum, and the heavieft Wood, but they do not 

 grow fo large. The Lands v/hich produce both Sorts, ar3 not 

 the bell to produce Grain ; they generally confifl of Gravel, 

 Sand, and Clay. 



There are four Species of Fir in Canada ; the firfl refembles 

 p n . our's : The other three Sorts are the Whiie^ 



tour bpeaes cf ^^^^^ ^^^^ the Spruce : The fécond rmd 



the fourth Sort grow very high, and are £t 

 for Mails, efpecialiy the White, which is alfo fit for Carpenters 

 Work : It grows generally in wet and black Lands ; but which 

 being drained, may bear all Sorts of Grain : Its Bark is fmooth 

 and fhining ; and there grows upon it fome little Bladders, the 

 Bignefs of a Kidney*Bean, which contain a Kind of Turpen- 

 tine, moft excellent for Wounds, which it cures in a fhort Time; 

 and even for Fraélures. They affirm, that it allays Fevers, and 

 cures the Diforders of the Stomach and Lungs. The Way to 

 ufe it, is to put two Drops of it into Broth : It has alfo a purg- 

 ing Quality. This is what they call at Paris^ the White Bal/am, 



The 



