38 EXCURSIONS HOUND 



yet the sounds produced by the waving 

 of the foliage of the oak, are perfectly dif- 

 ferent from those of the elm, or of the 

 mountain-ash ; and the admirers of nature, 

 who wander through fields and woods with 

 a spirit of observation, are as capable of 

 distinguishing trees by the rustling of their 

 foliage, as by their manner of growth, and 

 external appearance. 



The oak, with its deep-indented leaves 

 and inflexible branches, opposes a strong- 

 resistance to the wind, particularly when 

 the tree is old ; and its rustling then pro- 

 duces a hollow murmur, which inspires the 

 mind with a sort of almost religious awe. 



The pine, with its needle-shaped leaves, 

 produces, when agitated by a gentle breeze, 

 a pleasant rustling sound ; but a loud dis- 

 agreeable noise, when shaken by an impe- 

 tuous wind. 



The poplar, which grows most luxuriant- 

 ly in the neighbourhood of waters, rustles 

 with the smallest breeze ; and the continual 



3 agitation 



