BEECH-TREE. 125 



tives, for they, in like manner, warily lay by a store for winter 

 consumption. My bark, when rough, affords a kind of ladder, 

 whereby the active creatures may readily gain the highest 

 branches; and up and down they go, swiftly and safely, 

 with their brushy tails spread out like fans, and their quick 

 eyes glancing in all directions. Many a noble tree owes 

 its birth to beech-mast, which rooks and squirrels have 

 dropped in their haste, or perchance forgotten, when care- 

 fully laid by. 



