The pines.

Other conifers.

Beech.

The map/es.

The birches.

Other broad- /ea ved trees.

Berries and curran ts.

Beech mast.

that have since destroyed so much valuable timber, the island was altogether covered with wood, and contained forests of majestic pines. Trees of this genus still abound, but not, as formerly, in extensive groves. The varieties are the red and pitch pine, which are rare, and the yellow or white pine, which is more abundant; and being well adapted for house-building and joiner-work, has for many years formed an important article of export to Britain. There is not however, at present, more growing on the island than will be required by the inhabitants for house—building, ship-building, and other purposes.4 There are four varieties of the spruce fir growing in abundance: this wood is durable, and adapted to various uses. Larch (or hackmatack) is scarce, and seldom more than a foot and a half in diameter, but the quality is valuable for treenails, and other purposes to ship-builders. The hemlock tree is of the fir tribe; there are two descriptions of it, the red and the white; the latter is very durable, and lately used in ship-building. It generally grows in groves, in dry hollows, and is often from two to three feet in diameter, and from fifty to seventy feet in height.

Beech abounds in all parts of the island, growing to a majestic height, and sometimes three feet in diameter. It is useful for the purposes to which it is usually applied in England.

Five varieties of sugar maple are met with; the white, which does not arrive at so large a size as the others, the waved maple or zebra wood, the red maple, the rock or curly maple, and the bird-eyed maple; the four last grow from forty to sixty feet in height, and from eighteen to thirty—six inches in diameter; all of which take a beautiful polish, and are used for various articles of furniture, as well as other purposes. From the sap of the maple tree an excellent sugar is made.

There are three descriptions of birch growing in great abundance, the white, yellow. and black; the last is particularly valuable for furniture, and other uses. It is frequently from three to four feet in diameter, and susceptible of as fine a polish as mahogany, and equally as beautiful.

Oak is scarce, and the quality indifferent; there are two varieties, the red and white.

Elm is also scarce, but the description is excellent. Of ash there are three varieties, the black, grey, and white; the two first are scarcely of any use, the last is made into cars, handspikes, staves, &c.

Poplar, of which there are two varieties, grows in low ground, or where the original wood has been removed. White cedar abounds in the north and west parts of the island, but not of a size large enough for house or ship—building.5 Such are the principal kinds of trees growing on the island. A number of others of a less description are met with, but as they are seldom used for any purpose, they are as

seldom noticed. Among these, are the alder, wild cherry tree, Indian pear tree, dogwood, &c.

Among the many varieties of wild fruits are cranberries, which are uncommonly fine, and as large as an English cherry, strawberries, and raspberries, which grow in astonishing abundance; also blue berries 6, white berries, and indian pears, all of which are of the most delicious flavour. Black and red currants, gooseberries and two descriptions of cherries grow wild; they are however very inferior. Juniper berries are abundant

The beech tree produces heavy crops of beech mast, or nuts, which are pleasant to the taste, and on which squirrels, partridges, and mice live, principally during autumn and winter. Hazel nuts grow wild.

The bay berry grows on a shrub, (the Myrica Cerifera of Linnaeus)

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