in l^gDe ^arfe. 177 



to their maturity ? No spirit dwells within their trunks, 

 as the poets feigned concerning their brethren of Dodona ; 

 no voice answers to the question. The sighing of the 

 wind alone is heard among their sapless branches. 



Thus much we know, that in all forest-trees the stages 

 of vegetation are alike. But century after century must 

 have rolled on, till the giant bulk of the noble trees were 

 fully developed, till their stately columns, upheld an 

 ample canopy of spreading boughs, beneath which the 

 flocks that grazed in the open spaces of the forest might 

 find a shelter from the storm. Time was, when the settling 

 of a fly upon the saplings could shake them to the root, 

 but at this period of their history, a tempest would not disturb 

 them. The busiest thoughts might find an ample field to 

 range in, when comparing the small beginnings, with the 

 matchless grandeur of these once noble trees. How, at 

 their prime age, the smooth bark, by which they were 

 enveloped, contained within their girth, wood sufficient to 

 plank the deck and sides of a large vessel ; how their 

 tortuous arms would have yielded many a load of timber, 

 which, if drawn by oxen, might have wearied the pon- 

 derous creatures, long before they reached the place of 

 destination, at even a short distance. But, in those ages, 

 oaks were not hewn down as they now are. Still the 

 trees grew on, till their moss-cushioned roots upheaved 

 above the earth, and their smooth trunks, becoming 

 rugged, were embossed with globose wens. Then 

 decay began her noiseless work; one atom, and then 



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