The Forests of British Guiana. 211 
a law might be made prohibiting the felling of such trees ; 
and occasion might sometimes offer for the prosecution 
and punishment of persons committing such offence; 
and this might deter, if not prevent, wood-cutters and 
others from destroying valuable wood. A great deal can be 
done, in other respects, for the conservancy of the forests. 
The Government might appoint a committee to be 
composed of six gentlemen of experience with regard 
to the forests of this colony ; three Government 
officials, say Mr. WIGHT (Crown Surveyor), Mr. 
McTurk (Special Magistrate), and Mr. Chalmers 
(Assistant Crown Surveyor), and three gentlemen 
whose daily vocation is in the timber business, such 
as Mr. OUTRIDGE of Essequibo, and Messrs. PATTER- 
SON and GEORGE CouchmAN of Demerara. I only 
mention the names of these gentlemen as I happen to 
know they have had considerable experience as to our 
forests. This committee should classify all the different 
woods of value, stating the least square each class of 
timber should give when cut. The chief thing to be 
considered is its durability. They should also determine 
what trees may be cut as beams and spars ; and all per- 
sons should be prohibited from cutting or selling any 
beams and spars not of the description permitted, or any 
timber of less size than that laid down by the committee. 
There is one kind of wood which cannot well be pro- 
tected by law, it being used for so many different and 
actually necessary purposes. I allude to wallaba, which 
serves for frames of houses, posts, beams, vat and paling 
staves, shingles, cordwood and charcoal. 
It may be asked, how are we to be provided with 
