CB. r. 



BY THE SURFACE OF THE ROOTS. 



29 



much more than compensated by tlie condejisation which 

 takes place whenever the atmosphere is moist and 

 warmer than the trees. For this fact I shall quote the 

 admirable outdoor observer, White of Selborne : ' In 

 heavy fogs, on elevated situations especially, trees are 

 perfect alembics ; and no one who has not attended 

 to such matters can imagine how much water one tree 

 will distil in a night's time, by condensing the vapour 

 which trickles doAvu the twigs and boughs, so as to 

 make the ground below quite in a float. In Newton 

 Lane, in October, 1775, on a misty day, a particular 

 oak, in leaf, dropped so fast that the cart-way stood in 

 puddles, and the ruts ran with water, though the 

 ground in general was dusty.' And that part of a 

 road which is overshadowed by a tree may, in summer, 

 play the part of Gideon's fleece. In rain, it may be dry 

 and dusty, when all beyond it is moist ; and, in con- 

 densing weather, it may be drenched, when all beyond 

 it is dry and dusty. This condensation much more than 

 makes up for the small quantity of rain-water which is 

 arrested by the leaves. 



Roget remarks : 'We have here a striking instance 

 of that beautiful correspondence which has been 

 established between processes belonging to diflerent 

 departments of nature, and which are made to concur 

 in the production of remote efiects, that could never 

 have been accomplished without these preconcerted 

 and harmonious adjustments,' Fine words, certainly 1 

 but prceterea nihil. 



