148 LIFE OF A TREE. 
the delicate inhabitants of this tiny vegetable 
world. 
But to return to our immediate subject. May 
we not then put in a plea for the possession of a 
sort of instinct for our tree? Undoubtedly, it is 
nothing to be compared to that of animals; but 
is it nothing at all? Surely the few instances we 
have brought forward seem to say in loud tones, 
that dim and indistinct as this faculty evidently is, 
it is going too far to say it does not really exist. 
If we admit the probability of its existence, what 
interest does it not give to our contemplations of 
the Life of a Tree! No longer do we speak of a 
mere wooden machine, which Spring sets in mo- 
tion, and Winter lays to rest. The tree is no 
longer regarded as but a little above a rock or 
a stone. Whether we look upon the favourite 
plants of our own choice and under our own care, 
or upon those that inhabit our gardens, or those 
which form our woods and fields, we now see 
vegetable beings, which even appear to enjoy a low 
measure of happiness, to whom it is not an indif- 
ferent thing whether the skies are ever fair and 
unbeclouded, or frequently darkened with storms, 
or dripping with rain. It is true they are unable 
