150 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
ground. Sometimes these conflagrations extend over 
the whole face of the country, producing the most 
fearful destruction of life and property. The specta- 
cle of a burning forest, according to the accounts of those 
who have witnessed it, is most sublime. The flames leap 
from tree to tree, and rushing up to their tops, throw out 
immense volumes of fire from the thick clouds of smoke 
that hang over the burning mass, while the falling trees 
come down with the most tremendous crash. 
In October, 1825, upwards of a hundred miles of the 
country, on the north side of Miramicln river, became a 
scene of the most dreadful conflagration that has perhaps 
ever occurred in the history of the world. In Europe, 
we can scarcely form a conception of the fury and ra- 
pidity with which the fires rage through the American 
forests during a dry hot season; at which time the under- 
wood, decayed vegetable substances, fallen branches, bark, 
and withered trees, are as inflammable as a total absence 
of moisture can render them. When these tremendous 
fires are once in motion, or at least when the flames ex- 
tend a few miles of the forest, the surrounding air be- 
comes highly rarefied, and the wind naturally increases to 
a hurricane. It appears that the woods had been, on both 
sides of the north-west branch, partially on fire for some 
time, but not to an alarming extent until the 7th of Octo- 
ber, when it came on to blow furiously from the north- 
west, and the inhabitants on the banks of the river were 
suddenly alarmed by a tremendous roaring in the woods, 
resembling the incessant rolling of thunder; while, at the 
same time, the atmosphere became thickly darkened with 
smoke. They had scarcely time to ascertain the cause of 
this phenomenon, before all the surrounding woods ap- 
peared in one vast blaze, the flames ascending more than 
a hundred feet above the tops of the loftiest trees, and the 
fire, like a gulph in flames, rolling forward with incon- 
ceivable celerity. In less than an hour, Douglastown and 
Newcastle were enveloped in one vast blaze, and many of 
the wretched inhabitants, unable to escape, perished in the 
midst of this terrible fire. 
A Miramichi paper, published on the 11th of October, 
at the scene of this fearful conflagration, contains some 
interesting particulars, from which it appears that several 
hundred lives were lost in Newcastle, Douglastown, and 
Fredericton; that nearly all the “lumberers” in the woods 
perished; that in many parts of the country the cattle 
were all destroyed; and that the loss of property in the 
towns was immense, as the fire rushed upon the inhabi- 
tants with such inconceivable rapidity, that the preserva- 
tion of their lives could be their only care. 
Two new species of Pine, of more gigantic dimensions 
than any that have hitherto been described in Europe or 
America, have been found by Dr. David Douglas, a most 
enterprising botanist, who was sent out by the Hor- 
ticultural Society of London in 1825, to explore the west 
coast of North America. He returned from that country 
in the autumn of 1827, bringing with him a rich addi- 
tion to the known catalogue of plants. These Pines are: — 
1. Pinus Douglasii . — This Pine grows to the height 
of two hundred and thirty feet, and is upwards of fifty 
feet circumference at the base. It has a rough corky bark, 
from an inch to twelve inches thick. The leaves resem- 
ble those of the spruce, and the cones are small. The tim- 
ber is of good quality and very heavy. This Pine was 
found by Mr. Douglas on the banks of the Columbia, 
where it forms extensive forests, extending from the 
shores of the Pacific to the Stony Mountains. 
2. Pinus Lambertiana . — This species of Pine was dis- 
covered in Northern California, where it is dispersed 
over large tracts of country, but does not form dense 
forests like most of the other Pines. It is a very majes- 
tic tree; and one specimen, which, in consequence of its 
having been blown down, Mr. Douglas was enabled to 
measure, was two hundred and fifteen feet in length, fifty- 
seven feet nine inches in circumference at three feet from 
the root, and seventeen feet five inches at one hundred 
and thirty-four feet. It is probably the largest single 
mass of timber that ever was measured by man, though 
some of the growing specimens of the same Pine were evi- 
dently of greater elevation. The trunk of the Lamber- 
tiana is straight, and clear of branches for about two-thirds 
of the height. The bark is uncommonly smooth, and the 
whole tree has a most graceful appearance. The cones 
resemble those of the Weymouth Pine, but are much larger, 
being on an average at least sixteen inches in length. 
The seeds are eaten roasted, or pounded into cakes. The 
tree bears a considerable resemblance to the spruces; and, 
as is the case with them, its turpentine is of a pure amber 
colour, and the timber soft, white, and light. One sin- 
gular property of this tree is, that when the timber is 
partly burned, the turpentine loses its peculiar flavour, 
and acquires a sweetish taste. It is used by the natives 
as a substitute for sugar. — Lib. Ent. Know. 
THE CHAMOIS. 
The Chamois is a wild animal, but easily tamed, and 
very docile. It is about the size of a domestic goat, 
and resembles one in many respects. It is most agreea- 
bly lively, and active beyond expression. Its hair is 
short, like that of the doe; in spring it is of an ash colour, 
