Fish--Geographical Importance of Birds--Introduction of
Birds--Destruction of Birds--Utility and Destruction of
Reptiles--Utility of Insects and Worms--Injury to the Forest by
Insects--Introduction of Insects--Destruction of Insects--Minute
Organisms

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