OBSERVATIONS ON VEGETABLES, 351 



must be blind, and feel itself in an awkward, uneasy 

 situation. WHITE. 



I have seen many sloughs or skins of snakes entire, after 

 they have cast them off; and once in particular I remember 

 to have found one of these sloughs so intricately interwoven 

 amongst some brakes that it was with difficulty removed 

 without being broken ; this undoubtedly was done by the 

 creature to assist in getting rid of its encumberance. 



I have great reason to suppose that the eft or common 

 lizard also casts its skin or slough, but not entire like the 

 snake ; for on the 30th March 1777 I saw one with some- 

 thing ragged hanging to it, which appeared to be part of its 

 old skin. MABKWICK. 



OBSERVATIONS ON VEGETABLES, 



TREES, ORDER OF LOSING THEIR LEAVES. 



ONE of the first trees that becomes naked is the walnut ; 

 the mulberry, the ash, especially if it bears many keys, and 

 the horse-chestnut come next. All lopped trees, while 

 their heads are young, carry their leaves a long while. 

 Apple-trees and peaches remain green very late, often till 

 the end of November : young beeches never cast their 

 leaves till spring, till the new leaves sprout and push them 

 off; in the autumn the beechen-leaves turn of a deep 

 chestnut colour. Tall beeches cast their leaves about tho 

 end of October. 



