159 



wise, like the younger branches of a 

 family, with wants increased, each would 

 set up a sort of opposition to the stem : 

 not with their own means, for such 

 they can have none ; but by intercept- 

 ing, and converting to their own use 

 the means that would otherwise nourish 

 their younger brethren, and likewise, pro- 

 mote the towering consequence of the pa- 

 rent plant. 



Observe, it is not said that trees re- 

 quire all the branches, and leaves, natu- 

 rally produced, to be retained to fornl 

 a head, but some ; for experience informs 

 us, that strength is gained as effectually 

 by a few branches, so situated, as by 

 many. And, upon considering what has 

 been advanced, upon the subject of dead 

 tops, it will be obvious, that a stem 

 crowded in any one place, umst always 

 be detrimented in a greater or less de- 

 gree ; and that though branches are ne- 



