106 MR HARDY ON THE REVIVAL OF 



ready known concerning the retention of the vegetative functions, 

 under singularly adverse circumstances, appears well worthy of being 

 recorded. 



The Gateshead branch of the Carlisle and Newcastle Railway 

 (commenced 1829, completed 1838), to provide against damages that 

 might ensue from the inundations of the Tyne, is elevated on an 

 earthen platform, at a considerable height above the level alluvial 

 basin of the river, along which its course is directed. To raise this 

 artificial mound a great supply of earth was requisite, a proportion 

 of which was derived from excavations within the limits of the Rail- 

 way Company's property ; that flank the line on either side, like the 

 now nearly obliterated pits of similar origin, sometimes occurring 

 parallel to the old Roman causeways. While digging one of these 

 trenches, in the immediate vicinity of Dunston, and to the west of 

 that village, the workmen, at a depth of 7 or 7^ feet, and over a 

 space whose length is very considerable, and in breadth about 43 

 feet, came upon a number of willow trees of large size, lying in a 

 variety of directions, entombed beneath a covering of mould. Several 

 of the trees, according to the statement of an intelligent individual 

 acquainted with the facts, exhibited few vestiges of injury they had 

 sustained from their protracted inhumation, being in general quite hard 

 and compact, strongly tinged with a sable hue, and resembling in 

 various particulars those oak-trees that have been for a long period 

 buried amid an ancient peat-moss. The soil in which they were 

 discovered is entirely alluvial — a deep rich mould, rather moist — 

 but if kept free from humidity, reckoned good wheat land, — con- 

 taining little sand, and no traces of peat. 



What became of the more solid of the trees I have not learned. 

 They were probably removed for firewood, or some other economical 

 purpose, as I noticed the marks of the axe on one of those remaining. 

 The more infirm and dilapidated were at least left behind, and still 

 retain, submerged in mud, the position they occupied, when after a 

 repose of centuries, the light of day, and the influence of the elements 

 were once more permitted to exert their subtle, " secret-working" 

 agency on their feeble and shattered frames. That operation was 

 indeed of the most wonderful and penetrative character ; for in a brief 

 space it was observed, that those black inanimate-like trunks yet 

 retained the lingering germs of vitality, that, long repressed, and 

 again brought into circumstances suitable to their development, with 

 strong effort collecting the dispersed virtue, threw it forth from its 



