72 



THE IVY. 



more tree received its final doom; for, last 

 summer, a vast profusion of fungus pushed up 

 its circular cakes even from below the surface 

 of the ground ; and on their coming to maturity 

 all the living powers within this ill-treated tree 

 expired. The bole now stands a dead and un- 

 productive stump. Any day, a north-west wind, 

 sweeping across the water, may lay it low for 

 ever. Did the ivy, which I had planted at the 

 base many years ago, depend upon this bole for 

 succour, it would now be dead and withered ; 

 but, on the contrary, that remaining part of it, 

 free from mutilation when the different portions 

 of the tree fell down, is now in verdure, and 

 in primest vigour ; but as it has no longer an 

 opportunity of creeping upwards, on account of 

 the misfortunes which have befallen the tree, 

 it has assumed the form of a bush, with dense 

 and widely spreading foliage. 



An opinion prevails, that ivy not only 

 deforms the branch to which it adheres, but 

 that it is injurious to the growth of the timber 

 itself. My wish for the preservation and 

 maintenance of birds urges me on to attempt 

 the defence of my favourite plant on these two 

 important points. 



