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or partially deficient of sap. The effect, 

 in eithev case, is, in the first instance, the 

 same; the branches which are worst si- 

 tuated, receive the least support, and 

 therefore die first. When a branch dies, 

 the next consequence to be expected is 

 its rotting. Different subjects, and an 

 innumerable variation of circumstances, 

 may make the time shorter, or longer, but 

 with all that I know of, (the Larch ex- 

 cepted,) it follows of course. And we may 

 remark, generally, of the Oak, that it is 

 one of the first " to see corruption :" nor 

 do I know a subject among the inhabi- 

 tants of the forest, upon which it after- 

 wards works with more efi'ectual speed. 

 To trace its effects, we may suppose the 

 case of a tree with a rotten branch, and 

 that placed in a direction inclining up- 

 wards. In this case, we must observe, that 

 the decay does not end where the branch 

 joins the stem or arms ; as it does not stand 

 upon them like a nut, or an acorn, in its 

 husk, except when produced by unnatural 



