•iU 



mineralogy of the mountains of France, mountain torrents, 

 their causes and the means of preventing them, the 'plans of 

 work projected and the works accomplished ; the chemistry of 

 vegetation and all that relates to the production and assimila- 

 tion of atmospherical and terrestrial elements. The Summer 

 Session of the third year, continuing five months from the first 

 of April, is largely occupied Vith field-work and observa- 

 tions, especially in the study of the oak forests of Central 

 France, the coniferous forests of the Yosges and Jura and the 

 reforested regions of the Alps. During the entire course the 

 field excursions are made under the direction of competent 

 professors, and careful memoirs of these journeys and observa- 

 tions, with sketches, plans and diagrams are always required. 



Italy has experienced the disastrous effects of forest denuda- 

 tion, in climatic excesses, in spring torrents and summer 

 droughts, or at least, in the great diminution of the summer 

 streams and rivers — the sources of irrigation. A code of forest 

 laws has lately been passed, for the extension and protection of 

 the national forests, and for the replanting of communal and pri- 

 vate woods. The scientific training of professional foresters is 

 found needful to repair the great waste and damage done in pre- 

 vious centuries. The ofiicers charged with the administration 

 of these forest laws are mainly graduates of the Eoyal Instituto 

 Forestale at Yallombrosa. While in Switzerland, a letter from 

 our Minister at Kome, Hon. George P. Marsh (who had been 

 informed of my errand in Europe), strongly advised me to visit 

 Yallombrosa, and a letter from Mr. Marsh to the Director Gen- 

 eral, Adolfo di Berenger, secured every facility for observation 

 and information wdien T did visit that institution. Founded as 

 an abbey by Pope Alexander 11. in 1070, it early became one 

 of the most celebrated monasteries of Italy, if not of the world, 

 remarkable for its romantic situation (vallis umbrosa, or shady 

 valley of the Appenines, nearly six thousand feet above the sea), 

 its great wealth, the extent of its lands and of its grand planted 

 forests. The present magnificent buildings were erected about 

 two hundred and fifty years ago (1637). For centuries this 

 place has been visited by distinguished travelers. Dante 

 delighted to ramble among these magnificent scenes. Mrs, 

 Browning says of Milton : 



