312 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



pion, large enough to be divided among a neigh- 

 bourhood. Nature appears to have obferved the 

 fame proportions in the various fizes of the fruits 

 deftined to the nutriment of Man, as in the mag- 

 nitude of the leaves which are defigned to afford 

 him a fhade in hot countries ; for of thefe fome 

 are contrived to be a fhelter for a fingle perfon, 

 others for a whole family, and others for all the in- 

 habitants of the fame hamlet. 



T fhall not dwell long on the other relations 

 which plants have with the habitation of Man, 

 from their greatnefs and their attitude, though 

 many very curious obfervations might be fuggefted 

 on that fubjec~t. There are few of them but what 

 are capable of embellifhing his field, his roof, or 

 his wall. I fhall only remark, that the vicinity of 

 Man is beneficial to many plants. An anonymous 

 mifTionary relates, that it is firmly believed by the 

 Indians, that the cocoa-trees which have houfes 

 around their roots, become much more beautiful 

 than thofe where there are none ; as if that ufeful 

 tree took delight in being near the habitation of 

 Man. 



. Another mifîionary, a bare- footed Carmelite, 

 called Father Philippe, pofitively afTerts, that when 

 the cocoa-tree is planted clofe by houfes or huts, 

 it is rendered more fruitful by the fmoke, by the 



afhes, 



