CENTURY VI. 255 



542. The moss of trees is a kind of hair ; for it 

 is the juice of the tree that is excerned, and doth not 

 assimilate. And upon great trees the moss gathereth 

 a figure like a leaf. 



543. The moister sort of trees yield little moss ; 

 as we see in asps, poplars, willows, beeches, &c. 

 which is partly caused for the reason that hath 

 been given, of the frank putting up of the sap into 

 the boughs ; and partly for that the barks of 

 those trees are more close and smooth than those 

 of oaks and ashes ; whereby the moss can the hard- 

 Her issue out. 



544. In clay-grounds all fruit-trees grow full of 

 moss, both upon body and boughs, which is caused 

 partly by the coldness of the ground, whereby the 

 plants nourish less, and partly by the roughness of 

 the earth, whereby the sap is shut in, and cannot get 

 up to spread so frankly as it should do. 



545. We have said heretofore, that if trees be 

 hide-bound, they wax less fruitful, and gather moss ; 

 and that they are holpen by hacking, &c. And, 

 therefore, by the reason of contraries, if trees be 

 bound in with cords, or some outward bands, they 

 will put forth more moss : which, I think, happeneth 

 to trees that stand bleak, and upon the cold winds. 

 It would also be tried, whether, if you cover a tree 

 somewhat thick upon the top after his polling, it 

 will not gather more moss. I think also the water 

 ing of trees with cold fountain-water, will make 

 them grow full of moss. 



546. There is a moss the perfumers have, which 



