The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-05-19

Scientists have tried vainly to solve the
question. Theories ~unnumbcred have
been advanced. the most reasonable a
which seems to be the prevalence of fires.
But Why did not fires producc a like re-
suit in older parts of the world2 Below
we give the theory OF judge Cation. Of
Illinois, as being reasonable. in II seien-
tifc point Of view, and will be of interest
to those who look deep for the causes Of
such phenomena:
The final outcome Of Judge Caton's
study of this subject is that the absen0e
of forests on our prairies at n given his
torical epoch is mainly chargeable to for
tuitous causes. He does not hesitate TO
endorse the popular opinion which has
for some time been discredited among
scientists, that among the most Important
of dennding causes is fire, although the
| exhaustion of the soil. and its replenish-
ment with particular elements. have
doubtless had some influence.
He points out a peculiar obstacle to tho
re-growth Of trees after their ocmbustnn
in these localities. The hard, impeuetrs-
| bic character of the sward formed by
most Of the herbaceOus vegetation OF the
prairies is O serious impediment TO the
termination of arboreous seeds when BY
accident they fall upon it. The difficulty y
mechanical, not chemical. The immense
profusion of strong roots with which the
prairie herbs are furnished form q oom-
plete mat upon the surface of the ground
and penetrate to a great depth. 1t Is his
extraordinary system Of capillary feeders
which enables the herbaoeous vegetation
not only to survive the action OF IRE, b0t
to remain green and vigorous during the
long drouths which occur 30 much more
frequently on the prairies than in tho
timber lands and in mountainous q
tries. These long drouths undoubtedly
exert their influence also to prevent the
formulation of arboreous seeds On tho
p~rairies, or to destroy the young pAanfs,
or at least TO prepare them for certain lie
struction when the autumnal fires sweep
over them. This explanation 81 the sb-
sence Of trees is further supported ~
Judge Cations assurance that wherever
the fires have been kept from the groves
OF the settlers. these plantations have
rapidly encroachcd upon the prair1os.
This fact he regards "a conclusively CO.
tablished by careful observation through
more than thirty-fve years, during which
he has been an eyewitness tothe settle
ment Of the western country.
But with all your philosophy. all yoar
SCIENCE. it will not do. For my part l care
noA a fg for your why's and wherefcrcs.
Rather would / attribute it to that law a
provision for every need which p~ervades
our universe. Call it Providence, ar by
what name you will, it matters nOt. Down
deep in the earth, for untold ages. has
lain undiscovered the petroleum al that
now lights our dwellings, awaiting the
time Of its necessity ere its development.
In like manner are thousands al similar
needs supplied. and may net the rrairies
be the samc3
But this work deals with facts md in
cidents, not theories or philosophy, and
to the mind given to reflection / leave tho
subject, only suggesting these ideas Va
food for thought.
THE FORESTS.
Not less interesting or worthy Of study
are our forests. No greater variety can
be found anywhere than in our North
western states. They range, in charactsr,
from the clear "oak openings" devoid a
all underground and looking DOR like q
grand old orchard than a forest, (where
all that is required for their cultivation
is q strong breaking team 10 urn over
the soil, when the trees may be sgiribod"
and cut down at any timeh TO the grand
old forests of pine, whose branches are "a
closely intertwiued that the q can
scarcely shine through, and evon the
winds Of winter can scarcely penetrate.
1 am not speaking of these things a.
they appear now when the hand At man
has cleared away the forests and planted
hedgerows and groves on the prsirios
until one can scarcely be distinguished
from the other, but rather al they ap-
peared to the early pioneers-a veritabhe
paradise that only awaited the taking;
and all this variety Of prairie and fores1
from which to choose. Surely, not many
states have been able to offer % much,
and something of this has been shown IN
the rapid growth and development of Thu
region, in the willingness TO risk ~, CO.
dure all. because hoping all.
CURI0srrIBs.
Aside from the features before de-.
cribed these states were MT Tor, w
might say, arc not) wanting IN curious
and remarkable phenomena Il nature
and Of aboriginal art, which have now Oh
tanned Q worldwide reputation.
Among these may be mentiooed tn
Falls Of St. Anthony, on the Mississipp
river. which, il they do not quite equa
those Of Niagara in grandeur, arc ~
sublimely beautiful. The Dells of Wiz
consin, where the water foams and rushe'
: through narrow gorgcs. whose walls RI.
perpendicularly to great heights an<
where the scenery of rugged rocks an
gorges and caves now call thoesss Is 9
visitors every year from all parts d u
Union TO see and admire. Then there ~