tlie humid winds which pass over them from the sea level. 
The water is collected and preserved in extensive marshes 
and lakes, whence are derived the sources of three considera- 
ble rivers : the Riviere Tamarin, the Riviere du Rempart and 
the Riviere du Poste, and whence a gradual but constant sup- 
ply of water is furnished at all seasons of the year. The pro- 
gress of cultivation, and the demand for timber are quickly 
bringing about the clearing and draining of these lands ; 
when once they have been cleared and cultivated, the con- 
stantly flowing streams already somewhat reduced during the 
dry season, will undergo still further change, and in their place 
will be seen swollen torrents in rainy weather, and dry chan- 
nels during the rest of the year. 
Now such being the real action of forests in connexion with 
the water supply, it follows that we must either maintain our 
forests, at any cost, or adopt artificial means which may serve 
the same purpose, in the preservation of the rain, after it has 
fallen. 
The choice between the alternative courses open to us will 
not be difficult, for it is easy to see that it will be utterly im- 
practicable to maintain any sufficient extent of forest land, 
whereas there will be little difficulty, and ultimately less ex- 
pense, in establishing artificial reservoirs. 
The forest laws now in force affect a very small portion of 
the existing forests ; and yet if we are to depend upon forests 
for the preservation of the water it is clear that present ex- 
tent of forest land must not only be reduced, but must be 
added to ; for the call for more water has long been heard, 
during the dry season, and it will certainly become more and 
more urgent, with the increase of population. 
All the advocates of the forest system acknowledge this ; 
and though no one has been bold enough to advocate the to- 
tal prohibition of any further clearing of forest lands, yet it 
has been proposed to add to the extent of forests under the 
protection of the laiv by requiring each proprietor to set aside 
a certain proportional part of his land for the purpose, so as 
to divide the burthen equally amongst all. But such isolated 
patches of trees, scattered about the Island could have no 
appreciable effect upon the water supply ; not only is it ne- 
