FE11XS AND 3IOSSES. 19 
as the coins, arms, and axes, are clearly not more ancient 
than the era of his conquests. Nor can any vestige of the 
forests described by that general, and through which the 
great Roman road was formed, be discovered, except in the 
ruined trunks of trees, which the rapid growth of Bog -moss 
concealed for ages. 
The aboriginal forests of Ardennes, Seinarna, and Hir- 
cinia, with others of equal extent, have long since disap- 
peared, and their sites are occupied by swamps and mosses. 
That such vast sweeps of woodland once overshadowed a 
considerable part of France and Germany are facts pertain- 
ing to history ; as, likewise, that their disappearance 
resulted from strict orders given by different Roman 
emperors to destroy both groves and woods throughout all 
conquered provinces. In after years, the same policy was 
adopted by Edward I. with regard to Wales ; by Henry II. 
as respected Ireland. With the passing on of years, and the 
increase of civilization, different Parliaments made laws for 
the cutting down of extensive woods, because they harboured 
wolves and outlaws. No one, however, cared to remove a 
tenth of the prostrate trees ; nor, indeed, could they, for 
trees were many, and labourers few. Wherever, therefore, 
the noble oaks came crashing down, there they remained ; 
their trunks and branches obstructing the free drainage of 
atmospheric waters, and preventing many a bubbling stream 
that sprung from out the ground from flowing according to 
its wont. Mosses accordingly began their ministry ; and 
brief space sufficed to enwrap, as with a mighty mantle of 
living green, those fallen fathers of the forest. Far as the 
eye could reach, even from the topmost bough of the stateliest 
oak or fir, would have appeared one wide, interminable 
mingling of forest trees ; now ascending some bold emi- 
nence, now stooping down into spacious valleys, then going 
on over ample plains, bounded only by the horizon. A few 
years passed : where the mighty had stood and fallen, was 
