102 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



wider and wider as if to push the other into the 

 water. The second hemlock felt the strain, but in- 

 stead of submitting, produced a huge root which 

 coiled around the aggressor's trunk in a strangle 

 hold which said: "If I fall, you go with me." 



In such ways do the trees adapt their business 

 methods to strange and extraordinary conditions. 

 In many cases they are more sagacious than men. 



