14 THE OAK. 



in Cornwall suffered severely from a violent storm from 

 the west. In the course of a few hours all the leaves 

 which had been unprotected from its influence shrivelled 

 up (without, however, acquiring the true autumnal tint) 

 and died. But not long after, a second spring, as it were, 

 set in, and the trees were partially restored to their former 

 flourishing condition. White, noticing a similar occur- 

 rence, says : ' When Oaks are quite stripped of their 

 ^aves by chaffers, they are clothed again, soon after 

 midsummer, with a beautiful foliage; but Beeches, 

 Horse-chestnuts, and Maples, once defaced by those 

 insects, never recover their beauty again for the whole 

 season." 



In many of the rural districts Oak-leaves and Oak-apples 

 (to be mentioned hereafter) are worn by boys on the 29th 

 of May, the anniversary of the Restoration of Charles 

 II., who is said to have concealed himself in, an Oak-tree 

 from the Parliamentary soldiers. 



I must not omit to mention here that the Romans were 

 accustomed to bestow a wreath composed of Oak-leaves, 

 called a civic crown, on any one who saved the life of a 

 citizen ; which was considered the highest service that 

 could be rendered to the State. 



" And oaken wreath his hardy temples bore, 

 Mark of a citizen preserved he wore." 



EOWE'S Lucan. 



Here, too, I may mention the absurd belief, once popu- 

 larly prevalent, that the Barnacle-goose owed its origin to 

 this tree. The quaint old botanist, Gerard, tells the story 

 so faithfully, that I cannot do better than transcribe his 

 own words : " There are found in the North of Scotland, 

 and Islands adjacent, called Orchades, certain trees 

 whereon do grow certain shells tending to russet, wherein 

 are contained little living creatures ; which shells, in time 

 of maturitie, do open, and out of them do grow those 

 little living things, which, falling into the water, do 



