129 



such figure, as No. 3, on PL II. Here 

 we see the stern infested with a numerous 

 set of collateral, I might say, unnatural 

 branches ; as they are not only pro- 

 duced in a manner contrary to the ge- 

 neral order of nature, but are found 

 directly robbing the stem of what just- 

 ly belongs to it, and also monopolizing 

 the property of their elder brethren, the 

 legitimate offspring of their common pa- 

 rent. 



It is truly wonderful that, with the 

 two sorts of appearances, which have 

 f>een noticed, constantly before men^s 

 eyes, they should as constantly impute 

 the disease to the trees getting into an 

 improper soil, and therefore deeming it 

 a hopeless case. That it arises from a 

 limited quantity, and an unequal distri- 

 bution of sap, in the case of old trees, 

 and such as are in a bad soil, is suffici- 

 ently obvious ; while in young subjects, 

 upon a good one, it is plainly imputabJe 



