10 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



The boughs cut in summer, and left to decay during 

 the winter, serve the purpose of manure. 



The Hoary, or Silver-leaved Alder, Alnus incana, is of 

 smaller growth than the common Alder ; the leaves are 

 not so round, and are quite white on the under side ; the 

 wood is white, and of a closer texture. This is a native 

 of Switzerland, Dauphine, Siberia, the islands beyond 

 Kamtchatka, &c. In direct opposition to the common 

 Alder, it flourishes in a dry, sandy soil. It was first 

 brought into England in the year 1780, by Mr. John 

 Bush. 



The Alder is said to have afforded the first material 

 for boats : 



" Tune alnos primum fluvii sensere cavatas." 



VIRGIL. Georgic I. 



" Then did the rivers first feel the hollow'd alders." 



MARTYN'S Translation. 



Referring to this passage, Martyn observes, that the 

 Alder may also have given the first idea of navigation. 

 It grows commonly on the banks of rivers ; and he sup- 

 poses that one of these trees, hollowed by age, may have 

 fallen into the water, and so given the first idea of a boat 

 to the spectators. Evelyn remarks, that the Alder is of 

 all others the most faithful lover of watery and boggy 

 places, a taste to which Virgil frequently alludes : 



" Fluminibus salices, crassisque paludibus alni 



Nascuntur." Georgic. II. 



" Willows grow about rivers, and Alders in muddy marshes." 



MARTYN'S Translation. 



Homer also more than once mentions it as growing 

 near the water : 



