STtJDY XI. ±6§ 



•which are inferted in fuch a manner, that, apply 

 your hand to them ever fo cautioufly, it is impof- 

 fible to avoid pricking your fingers. 



There are other thorns planted only on the 

 flems of plants, others are on their branches. In 

 our climates, they are fcarcely ever to be found, 

 except on fhrubbery, and on a few trees ; but in 

 both Indies, they are fcattered over a great many 

 fpecies of trees. Their very various forms and dif- 

 pofitions have relations, of which the greateft part 

 are to us unknown, to the fecurity and defence of 

 the birds which live upon them. It was neceflary 

 that many of the trees of thofe countries mould be 

 armed with thorns, becaufe many quadrupeds are 

 there to be found, capable of climbing them, to 

 eat the eggs and the young of birds, fuch as the 

 monkey, the civet-cat, the tyger, the wild-cat, the 

 mufk-rat, the opoflum, the wild rat, and even the 

 common rat. 



The Afiatic acacia * prefents to it's winged in- 

 habitants a retreat abfolutely inacceffible to their 



enemies. 



* There is a plant of the Afiatic acacia to be feen in that 

 beautiful garden adjacent to the iron gate of Chaillot, which 

 formerly belonged to the virtuous Chevalier de Genjîn. As to 

 the name of falfe-acaaa, given to the acacia of America, I mud 

 obferve, that Nature produces nothing falfe. She has given va- 

 rieties 



