290 
NATURAL HISTOP.Y 
heave and work, and a manifeft thaw took place. From the latter 
circumftance we may conclude that thaws often originate imder 
ground from warm vapours which arife ; elfe how fhould fubter- 
raneous animals receive fuch early intimations of their approach. 
Moreover, we have often obferved that cold feems to defcend 
from above ; for, when a thermometer hangs abroad in a frofty 
night, the intervention of a cloud lhall immediately raife the 
mercury ten degrees ; and a clear fky lhall again compel it to 
defcend to it's former gage. 
And here it may be proper to obferve, on what has been faid 
above, that though frofls advance to their iitmoft feverity by fome- 
what of a regular gradation, yet thaws do not ufually come on by 
as regular a declenfion of cold ; but often take place immediately 
from intenfe freezing ; as men in ficknefs often mend at once 
from a paroxyfm. 
To the great credit of Portugal laurels and yf/wm'cw? junipers, be 
it remembered that they remained untouched amidft the general 
havock : hence men fliould learn to ornament chiefly with fuch 
trees as are able to withftand accidental feverities, and not fubjeft 
themfelves to the vexation of a lofs which may befall them once 
perhaps in ten years, yet may hardly be recovered through the 
whole courfe of their lives. 
As it appeared afterwards the ilexes were much injured, the 
cypreffes were half deftroyed, the arbutufes lingered on, but never 
recovered ; and the bays, lauruftines, and laurels, were killed to 
the ground ; and the very wild hollies, in hot afpeds, were fo 
much affefted that they cafl all their leaves. 
By the 14th of January the fnow was entirely gone ; the turnips 
emerged not damaged at all, fave In funny places ; the wheat 
looked delicately, and the garden plants v/ere well preferved ; 
for 
