other trees nature feerhs to obferve one 

 fimple principle; which is, that the mode 

 of growth in the fpray, correfponds exactly 

 with that of the larger branches, of which 

 indeed the fpray is the origin. Thus the oak 

 divides his boughs from the ftern* more hori^ 

 zontally, than moft other deciduous trees. 

 The fpray makes exactly in miniature the 

 fame appearance. It breaks out in right an- 

 gles, or in angles that are nearly fo ; forming 

 it's moots commonly in fhort lines ; the 

 fecond year's moot ufually taking fome direc- 

 tion contrary to that of the firft. Thus the 

 rudiments are laid of that abrupt mode of 

 ramification, for which the oak is remark- 

 able. When two moots fpring from the fame 

 knot, they are commonly of unequal length ; 

 and one with large ftrides generally takes the 

 lead. Very often alfo three moots, and 

 fometimes four, fpring from the fame knot. 

 Hence the fpray of the oak becomes thick, 

 clofe, and interwoven; fo that, at a little 

 diftance, it has a full, rich appearance, and 

 more of the picturefque roughnefs, than we 

 obferve in the fpray of any other tree. The 

 fpray of the oak alfo generally fprings in 

 fuch directions, as give it's branches that 



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