Chapter III: The Woods

The Habitable Earth Originally Wooded--General Meteorological Influence of the Forest--Electrical Action of Trees--Chemical Influence of Woods--Trees as Protection against Malaria--Trees as Shelter to Ground to the Leeward--Influence of the Forest as Inorganic on Temperature--Thermometrical Action of Trees as Organic--Total Influence of the Forest on Temperature--Influence of Forests as Inorganic on Humidity of Air and Earth--Influence as Organic--Balance of Conflicting Influences--Influence of Woods on Precipitation--Total Climatic Action of the Forest--Influence of the Forest on Humidity of Soil--The Forest in Winter--Summer Rain, Importance of--Influence of the Forest on the Flow of Springs--Influence of the Forest on Inundations and Torrents--Destructive Action of Torrents--Floods of the Ardeche--Excavation by Torrents--Extinction of Torrents--Crushing Force of Torrents--Transporting Power of Water--The Po and its Deposits--Mountain Slides--Forest as Protection against Avalanches--Minor Uses of the Forest--Small Forest Plants and Vitality of Seeds--Locusts do not Breed in Forests--General Functions of Forest--General Consequences of Destruction of--Due Proportion of Woodland--Proportion of Woodland in European Countries--Forests of Great Britain--Forests of France--Forests of Italy--Forests of Germany--Forests of United States--American Forest Trees--European and American Forest Trees Compared--The Forest does not furnish Food for Man--First Removal of the Forest--Principal Causes of Destruction of Forest--Destruction and Protection of Forests by Governments--Royal Forests and Game-laws--Effects of the French Revolution--Increased Demand for Lumber--Effects of Burning Forest--Floating of Timber--Restoration of the Forest--Economy of the Forest--Forest Legislation--Plantation of Forests In America--Financial Results of Forest Plantations--Instability of American Life