This volume makes no pretensions to literary merit; sooner would it, indeed, claim kindred with the wild and uncultivated scenes of which it is but a simple relation. In justice to the gentlemen whom he has quoted in arranging the statistical portion of this volume, as well as to himself, the author would state that the material was procured some four years ago. The statement of this fact may account for any discrepancy which may appear from more recent accounts of the lumbering interests, should they be found to vary from the representations here made. THE AUTHOR. PART I. TREES OF AMERICA. PART II. THE PINE-TREE, OR FOREST LIFE. PART III. RIVER LIFE. CONTENTS. PART I. TREES OF AMERICA. CHAPTER I. Trees, how regarded by Lumbermen.--Cedars of Lebanon.--Oldest Tree on Record.--Napoleon's Regard for it.--Dimensions.--Durability of the Cedar, how accounted for.--The Oak.--Religious Veneration in which it was held by the Druids.--The Uses to which their Shade was appropriated.--Curious Valuation of Oak Forests by the Ancient Saxons.--The Number of Species.--Its Value.--Remarkable old Oak in Brighton.--Charter Oak.--Button-wood Tree.--Remarkable Rapidity of its Growth.--Remarkable Size of one measured by Washington.--by Michaux.--Disease in 1842, '43, and '44.--The Oriental Plane-tree --Great Favorite with the Ancients.--Cimon's Effort to gratify the Athenians.--Pliny's Account of its Transportation.--The Privilege of its Shade a Tax.--Used as an Ornament.--Nourished with Wine.--Hortensius and Cicero.--Pliny's curious Account of one of remarkable Size 13 CHAPTER II. The Elm.--English Elm.--Scotch Elm.--Slippery Elm.--American Elm.--Superiority of latter.--Different Shapes, how accounted for.--Great Elm on Boston Common.--Rapidity of Growth.--The Riding Stick.--Remarkable Dimensions of noted Trees.--Boston Elm again.-- Its Age.--By whom set out.--Washington Elm, why so named.--"Trees of Peace," a Tribute of Respect.--English Elm in England and America.--Uses in France.--In Russia.--Birch Family.--Its Variety and Uses.--The Maple Family.--Number of Species.--Red Maple.--Unrivaled Beauty of American Forests.--Rock Maple.--Amount of Wood cut from one in Blandford.--Curious method of distinguishing it from the River Maple.--Amount and Value of the Sugar in Massachusetts.--Great Product from one Tree.--Sugar Maple in the State of Maine.--Dr. Jackson's Reports, &c. 19 CHAPTER III.