$0 Mr. Rerron’s Observations on the 
mit any man's theory to supersede facts ; and the observation of 
the great Linnzus respecting Ivy on buildings confirms mine re- 
specting Ivy on trees; that although it may in a few cases be 
injurious, it is oftener beneficial; and therefore I hope it will not 
be deemed presumptuous in me to say, after Linnz;us, and in 
his words, that “ i£ does. no injury to" Trees. 
It is a fact, that of trees covered with Ivy, there are appa- 
rently more sickly than sound ones. But there are many rea- 
sons to be assigned for this appearance : 1st, The Ivy in winter 
renders the trees more conspicuous, and few people who see 
dead branches proceeding from such trees examine whether there 
may not be other trees near them equally decayed. 2dly, Be- 
cause a decaying or even a dead tree often serves to support 
Ivy, it is too often hastily supposed that Ivy is the cause of its 
death or decay. And 3dly, It is the property of Ivy to attach 
itself to decaying trees in preference to the more healthy ones; 
and as such trees are of less value, they are often left after their 
neighbours have been cut down and sold. This will alone account 
for the comparative difference in the number of sound and un- 
sound trees supporting Ivy. Butif a single instance be produced 
of a healthy tree covered with Ivy near another tree not so 
healthy without Ivy, this alone would lead us to pause before we 
cut the Ivy from the tree, * lest," as Evelyn asserts, * the tree 
may be killed by the sudden exposure to unaccustomed cold." 
Instead of a single instance, I could transcribe from my mi- 
nutes examples of every kind of tree compared with others of. 
the same kind near it; and could confirm my facts by sketches 
taken in various parts of the kingdom: but I shall only subjoin 
a few specimens of such facts as have induced me to take up an 
opinion on the subject. 
FACTS. 
