242. STUDIES OF NATURE. 



carry them in their arms, and place them upon 

 their heads. They frequently receive the recom- 

 pence of their noble hofpitality. The liannes 

 which, in the Antilles-Iflands, attach themfelves 

 to the trees of the foreft, defend them from the 

 fury of the hurricane. The Gallic Oak has oftener 

 than once feen itfelf an object of veneration to the 

 Nations, from having carried the miftletoe in it's 

 branches. The ivy, a friend to monuments and 

 tombs ; the ivy, with which, in ancient times, 

 they crowned the Poets who conferred immorta- 

 lity, iometimes covers with it's foliage the trunks 

 of the ftatelieft trees. It is one, among many, of the 

 irrefiftible proofs of the vegetable compenfations of 

 Nature ; for I do not recoiled that I ever law the ivy 

 on the trunks of pines, of firs, or of other trees 

 whofe foliage lafts all the year round. It invefts 

 thofe only which are dripped by the hand of 

 Winter. Symbol of a generous friendfhip, it at- 

 taches itfelf only to the wretched ; and when death 

 itfelf has fmitten it's protector, it reftores him 

 again the honours of the foreft where he lives no 

 longer ; it makes him revive, by decorating his 

 (hade with garlands of flowers, and feftoons of un- 

 decaying verdure. 



The greateft part of plants which grow under 

 the (hade, are adorned with the molt vivid colours ■> 

 nus the mofles difplay the brilliancy of their eme- 

 rald 



