Ill 



means, and even then, its origin will lie as 

 deep as that which was the surface, when 

 so produced. For natural branches origi- 

 nate directly at the core of the part from 

 whence they spring. (See Plate III.) An 

 extreme branch, for instance, is directly 

 connected with the core of that which pro- 

 duced it, and so on, through the different 

 gradations, to the stem ; consequently, 

 rottenness beginning in the former, des- 

 cends as naturally, and certainly, (if not 

 prevented,) to the root, by means of the 

 core, as the rivulet, gathered upon the 

 mountain's brow, finds its way to the river 

 in the plain below ; the only difference 

 being in the degree of expedition. 



When a rotten branch falls, it leaves a 

 hole, equally calculated to receive and re- 

 tain moisture, which, acting upon the core 

 or pith, as well as the end of the wood, car- 

 ries on the business of putrefaction, with a 

 rapidity scarcely to be credited. Hence 

 we see, that the defect under considera- 



