a genus of quadrupeds belonging to the order of ferae, and clas mammalia. See MAMMALIA Index.

FELLING OF TIMBER.—Many circumstances are well known and constantly observed in the felling of timber for building, which, though to a hasty observer, they might appear trifling, yet prove, on experience, to be of the utmost consequence. One thing observed by M. de Buffon, which very greatly increases the solidity and strength of timber, is, that the trees intended to be felled for service should first be stripped of their bark, and suffered to stand and die upon the spot before the cutting. The fappy part or blea of the oak becomes by this means as hard and firm as the heart; and the real strength and density of the wood has been proved, by many experiments, to be greatly increased by it: nor is this a practice of any detriment to the proprietor, since the remaining stumps of these trees send up their young shoots as vigorously as if they had been cut down in their natural condition.

When any tree is to be cut down for timber, the first thing to be taken care of is a skilful disbranching of such limbs as may endanger it in its fall: many trees are utterly spoiled for want of a previous care of this kind. In arms of timber that are very great, it is always necessary to chop or sink in them close to the bole, and then meeting it with downright strokes, it will be severed from the tree without splitting. In felling the tree, take care always to cut it as close to the ground as possible, unless it is intended to be grubbed up: and the doing that is of advantage both to the timber and to the wood; for timber is never so much valued, if it be known to grow out of old stocks.