446 



Notes on the Influence 



[No. 36, 



7th. That independent of the preservation of surface water for- 

 ests husband and regulate its flow. 



8th. The above authors also show that in all forest tracts the tem- 

 perature of the air is more equable throughout the year : that in 

 tropical regions the atmosphere around trees is cooler and contains 

 more moisture than the air on the open glade ; that the atmosphere 

 of a tropical country without trees, has an arid dryness in it totally 

 dissimilar to the cool softness of a well wooded one; that lands co- 

 vered with trees are cooler and moister than those which are expos- 

 ed : that in hot climates the destruction of forest trees, by induc- 

 ing aridity, destroys vegetation ; and that forests and trees afford the 

 shelter from violent winds which is absolutely essential to the health 

 of the vegetable creation. 



9th. That springs draw their supplies from sources in their im- 

 ir.edjate vicinity, and the presence of trees near these sources, seems 

 to prevent the dissipation of the supply of water. 



10th. That in clearings which are purely local springs may disap- 

 pear without there being any ground to conclude that the annual 

 quantity of rain has diminished. 



11th. That the tenacious clayey under-soil found in forests is pe- 

 culiarly adapted for preserving the surface and subsoil waters. 



12th. That there is a difference in the condensing power of trees, 

 but, by means of the vegetable creation, a valuable supply of mois 

 ture is collected from fogs, and from the atmosphere in the form of 

 dew. 



If the facts detailed warrant these deductions it may be confident- 

 ly asserted, that Southern Indik would be greatly enriched and its 

 climate ameliorated by the introduction of arboriculture. 



It is only the government or the civil servants of the state who 

 could accomplish any thing on a great scale, but their efforts may be 

 seconded by every individual resident in it, and the man who makes 

 a few trees grow where none grew before will, be a benefactor to this 

 country. 



It is highly improbable that this cultivation would ever be carri- 

 ed to an excess likely to injure the health of the neighbouring in- 

 habitants. The danger to Europeans at least, are purely imaginary and 

 equally so in my opinion to the native population, although their 

 spare diet and spare forms, their food and mode of life greatly expose 



