FOLIAGE OP TREES AND PLANTS. 63 



when the parts above are uninjured. The air in 

 its passage being stopped and condensed against 

 the foliage of the tree, it accordingly descends 

 along its surface or front, and escapes at the bottom, 

 where there are no branches or leaves to interrupt 

 its progress. In winter there is little to impede 

 the breeze in its course, and it passes through ; 

 consequently at this season the air under a tree is 

 scarcely more sensibly felt than in the adjoining 

 field. 



It may be observed, that in the spring of the 

 year the herbage under trees is generally more 

 vivid and luxuriant, than that which is beyond 

 the spread of the branches : this may be occasioned, 

 in some instances, by cattle having harboured there, 

 and the ground becoming in consequence more 

 manured ; but it will be found likewise manifestly 

 verdant and flourishing where no such accessory 

 could have enriched it, and is, I apprehend, in 

 general, chiefly owing to the effects of the driving 

 fogs and mists, which cause a frequent drip beneath 

 the tree, not experienced in other places, and thus 

 in a manner keep up a perpetual irrigation and 

 refreshment of the soil, and promote the decom- 

 position of the foliage beneath, which being drawn 

 into the earth by worms, contributes to the verdure 

 by the nutriment they yield. 



The foliage of trees and plants, by its amazing 

 profusion, variety, and beauty, must ever have 



