310 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



" to consider that those trees that are so much sought 

 after for shipping, should most delight in the highest 

 mountains, as if they fled from the sea on purpose, and 

 were afraid to descend into the water/' Dr. Clarke, 

 however, met with pines of a less timid spirit. 



" On all sides of the cataract, close to its fall, and high 

 above it, and far below it, and in the midst of the tur- 

 bulent flood, tall pines waved their shadowy branches, 

 wet with the rising dews. Some of these trees were ac- 

 tually thriving upon naked rocks, from which the dashing 

 foam of the torrent was spreading in wide sheets of 

 spray 



Travellers tell us, that in the large Pine forests in 

 Norway, &c. there are frequent flres, which sometimes 

 spread far. (See Fir.) Some have supposed these fires 

 to have been kindled by lightning, but it is very clearly 

 and simply accounted for by the custom the peasants have 

 of throwing out among the trees the contents of an old 

 pipe, which rekindles in the air, and quickly catches 

 these resinous trees. 



" Advancing a mile or two," says Dallaway, " we en- 

 tered a grove of Pine and silver fir, and the greater pai't 

 having been lately burnt, exhibited a very sombre ap- 

 pearance -(-." 



A late poet refers to one of these forest fires : 



" As the Norway woodman quells. 

 In the depth of piny dells_, 

 One light flame among the brakes. 

 While the boundless forest shakes. 



* Clarke's Travels;, vol. iii. p. 181, 

 t Dallaway 's Constantinople, p. ISO. 



