FLORA AND FORESTS. The flora is distinctly of a northern type, and the forest resources of the province rank next to the mineral wealth in importance. British Columbia probably con tains the largest unbroken area of merchantable forests on the continent. The western slopes of the mountains. particularly the coast ranges, are covered with a dense growth of forest trees which attain remarkable proportions. On the eastern slopes the forests are not so dense nor the trees so large, while much of the interior plateau is well-nigh treeless. The lower Fraser country especially is densely wooded. Smaller streams and the numerous inlets and arms of the sea give access to extensive forests all along the coast. Owing to the very limited Pacific Coast market, the forest resources have as yet been but little drawn upon. There are about eighty saw mills in the province, and the annual cut runs from 50,000,001) to 100,000,000 feet. The most
abundant and valuable species is the Douglas fir. On the coast it sometimes attains a height of :350 feet. The white cedar is also widely distributed, and is extensively used for shingles and for fin ishing purposes. The yellow cedar, confined largely to the more northern regions. is also of great commercial value. The dense forests of spruce and hemlock north of Knight's Inlet afford an almost inexhaustible supply of pulp-wood of a superior quality. The precipitous coast streams supply all the power necessary for carrying on the pulp-manufacturing industry, and arrange ments have been made looking to its establish ment. Other important varieties are Menzie's fir, yellow pine, arbor vita, yew, oak, white maple, aspen, cherry, willow, and cottonwood.