BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



nny one examine the inside of the bark of a cut tree, 

 when corruption has just begun with the bark, and 

 see how thoroughly it is undermined by insects, he 

 will, we think, admit the strong probability, that the 

 insect is only subordinate in the destruction of those 

 line old elms around London. We do not wonder 

 at the condition of the trees — it would not surprise 

 us if the human race in London were swept off by 

 some similar secondary cause. 



The small-leaved elm has great disposition to 

 spread by suckers from the roots, and thus extended 

 has become very prevalent throughout most parts of 

 England, in the broad wastes (termed fences), which, 

 from the indolent husbandry, consequent to tithes 

 and the want of leases, generally surround the pas- 

 ture and corn fields, but which are so necessary to 

 these unvaried plains, as some prominent object, or 

 characteristic land-mark, on which the a7?ior jpatrics 

 of the population may perch ; the finest remem- 

 brances and associations of youth being mixed up 

 with these bushy fiower- covered enclosm'es. 

 - It is with country as with society, strong lasting 



the worm. Forests of Pinus sylvestris are sometimes destroyed 

 by insects under the bark, in cases where it is difficult to decide 

 whether external circumstances, such as a dry warm season, has 

 been promotive of the increase of the insect itself, or has in- 

 duced some disorder in the plant, rendering the juices more 

 suitable aliment to the worm. 



