192 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



It may perhaps appear at first like a paradox ; but doubtless the 

 more tender trees and shrubs should never be planted in hot aspects ; 

 not only for the reason assigned above, but also because, thus circum- 

 stanced, they are disposed to shoot earlier in the spring, and to grow on 

 later in the autumn than they would otherwise do, and so are sufferers 

 by lagging or early frosts. For this reason also plants from Siberia will 

 hardly endure our climate ; because, on the very first advances of spring, 

 they shoot away, and so are cut off by the severe nights of March 

 or April. 



Dr. Fothergill and others have experienced the same inconvenience 

 with respect to the more tender shrubs from North America, which 

 they therefore plant under north walls. There should also perhaps be a 

 wall to the east to defend them from the piercing blasts from that quarter. 



This observation might without any impropriety be carried into 

 animal life ; for discerning bee-masters now find that their hives should 

 not in the winter be exposed to the hot sun, because such unseasonable 

 warmth awakens the inhabitants too early from their slumbers ; and, by 

 putting their juices into motion too soon, subjects them afterwards to 

 inconveniencies when rigorous weather returns. 



The coincidents attending this short but intense frost were, that the 

 horses fell sick with an epidemic distemper, which injured the winds of 

 many, and killed some ; that colds and coughs were general among the 

 human species ; that it froze under people's beds for several nights ; 

 that meat was so hard frozen that it could not be spitted, and could not 

 be secured but in cellars ; that several red-wings and thrushes were 

 killed by the frost ; and that the large titmouse continued to pull straws 

 lengthwise from the eaves of thatched houses and barns in a most 

 adroit manner, for a purpose that has been explained already.* 



On the 3rd of January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer within doors, 

 in a close parlour where there was no fire, fell in the night to 20, and 

 on the 4th, to 18, and on the 7th, to 17|, a degree of cold which the 

 owner never since saw in the same situation ; and he regrets much that 

 he was not able at that juncture to attend his instrument abroad. All 

 this time the wind continued north and north-east ; and yet on the 8th 

 roost-cocks, which had been silent, began to sound their clarions, and 

 crows to clamour, as prognostic of milder weather; and, moreover, 

 moles began to heave and work, and a manifest thaw took place. From 

 the latter circumstance we may conclude that thaws often originate 

 under ground from warm vapours which arise ; else how should subter- 

 raneous animals receive such early intimations of their approach. 

 Moreover, we have often observed that cold seems to descend from 

 above ; for, when a thermometer hangs abroad in a frosty night, the 

 intervention of a cloud shall immediately raise the mercury 10 ; and 

 a clear sky shall again compel it to descend to its former gage. 



And here it may be proper to observe, on what has been said above, 

 that though frosts advance to their utmost severity by somewhat of 

 a regular gradation, yet thaws do not usually come on by as regular 

 a declension of cold ; but often take place immediately from intense 

 freezing ; as men in sickness often mend at once from a paroxysm. 



* See Letter XLI. to Mr. Pennant. 



