BRITISH EVKKGRERNS. 109 



entirely eradicate damp it may be admitted to be a repellant placed on the 

 exterior. I had my attention drawn to a case of this description where damp 

 had prevailed for a length of time in the walls of an apartment; but Ivy 

 having grown up to cover the opposite exterior side, the affected parts inside 

 had become dry." 



A Rural Dean contends that, "So far from Ivy rendering the structure 

 damp, and so hastening its decay, nothing so effectually keeps the building 

 dry, as may be seen by examining beneath the Ivy after rain, when it will 

 be found that the walls are dry, though everything around is deluged with 

 wet." "And further," he says, "its exuberant and web-like roots, issuing, 

 as they do, from every portion of the branches, and running all over the 

 surface on which it grows, binding everything together that comes within 

 their reach with such a firm and intricate lace-work, that not a single stone 

 can be removed from its position without first tearing away its protecting 

 safeguard. In those parts of the structure that have not had the advantage 

 of this protection, all has gone to utte^ decay. Where the Ivy has thrown 

 its preserving mantle, everything is comparatively perfect and fresh, and often 

 times the angles of the sculptured stones are found to be almost as sharp and 

 entire as when first they came from the mason's yard." 



About London, and other large cities, it is raised in the nurseries in large 

 quantities in pots, to form external framing to the windows of houses instead 

 of architectures, and for placing in balconies. In rooms, also, the Ivy may 

 be planted in boxes; and, when properly treated, forms a most beautiful rustic 

 screen; is then for excluding the light of the sun by day, or that of lamps 

 by night; also to conceal or disguise any disagreeable objects that may present 

 themselves, and create an allusion to the country. A variety of opinions exist 

 as to its injurious properties to timber trees for sale — some writers contending 

 that it is highly injurious to them, while others as strongly contend that it 

 is beneficial. That it is not injurious to trees, we are perfectly satisfied in our 

 own mind, having had large quantities of timber trees covered with it to 

 the summit of their branches, cut down, and sawn into planks, and have 

 never found the timber in the least injured by it, but on high and exposed 

 places greatly benefited by it; in which situations few objects are more 

 picturesque than the trunks of large trees verdant with this "rare old plant." 

 Sheep are very fond of Ivy, and in severe weather it is a warm and wholesome 

 food for them; therefore the shepherds in many places in winter cut down 

 branches for their flocks to browse on. Cato directs that cattle should be fed 

 with it in scarcity of hay. Deer also are particularly fond of its leaves; for 

 the use of the latter the park walls should be planted with Ivy, thereby 

 insuring an additional amount of food to these animals during winter; also 

 ornamenting the walls, and protecting them against the ravages of time, 

 remembering that — 



"Our Ivy-crowned turrets, the pride of past ages, 

 Tliough mouldering in ruins, do still grandeur impart." 



