2 



LETTERS ON TREES, 



already in motion, — to be followed, ere long and in 

 quick succession, by the evolution of leaf, and flower, 

 and fruit, and wood, and root, and by a perfect circa- 

 lation of nutrient fluid in all the living and grow'ng 

 parts; and all this to be succeeded before the Tear 

 has run its course, by the faUing of the leaf, the c^rop- 

 ping of the fruit, and the cessation of all vital action 

 in what remains. 



2. Taking up the subject now, ere yet the annual 

 process of vegetation is well begun, and following this 

 process through its several stages, we may have it in 

 our power in the course of the season to make for our- 

 selves observations enough, and experiments enough, 



, to satisfy us whether our speculations be true to 

 nature and to fact. 



3. Of Trees in general, then, as of particular kinds 

 of trees — for example, the Oak, the Elm, the Beech, 

 the Fir, &c. — it may be asked, and often is asked, 

 " How long do they naturally live ? " And, To 

 what size do they naturally grow ? " 



4. Before proceeding to consider the answers to be 

 given to these two questions, let us clearly understand 

 on what footing the questions rest. To most, if not 

 to all who entertain them, the questions proceed on 

 the assumption that a tree is a single object, in a sense 

 precisely analogous to that in which an ox or a horse 

 is so regarded; they imply that every tree is as truly 

 an individual being, corporeally regarded, as each of 



