172 



THE UNIVERSE. 



Trees themselves and plants, notwithstanding their calm 

 and peaceful life passed in the broad light of day, -have still 

 their legendary history and their supei"stitious traditions. 

 Some have iDecome celebrated on account of the strange 

 animated progeny which has been attributed to their 

 leafy tops; others for their medical or cabalistic power. 

 Rousseau complained that plants had been defiled by 

 transforming them into disgusting remedies. We should 

 be more correct in accusing those who attribute ridiculous 

 virtues to them. 



Several water-birds were long considered to be the 

 produce of certain trees which grow in the marshes or 

 borders of the sea. Our credulous forefathers were per- 

 suaded that there was one of these growing in Scotland 

 or the Orkneys, the fruits of which; as large as eggs and 



3.''»9. Tlie Bird-tree. — Facsimile of the Sketch in Seliastian Munster's Cosmography. 



having the same shape, opened at maturity and allowed 

 each a little duck to escape. 



The vulgar Avould not have dared to doubt such a fact, 



