MOORLAND IDYLLS. 



tremely rare ; the Druids prized it because 

 they thought it the life or soul of the oak, 

 which was the sacred tree of Celtic mytho- 

 logy. I notice, indeed, that missel-thrushes 

 very seldom perch on ; oaks ; and even when 

 they do by chance dislodge a stray seed of 

 mistletoe on one, it has difficulty in fixing 

 its young suckers on the alien bark, and 

 draining the tree's nutritious juices. The 

 truth is, the mistletoe and the missel-thrush 

 are developed for one another; they have 

 struck up an alliance from time immemorial 

 on terms of mutual service and accommo- 

 dation. 



