ivy. 237 
season when its dark boughs are covered with hoar- 
frost. The faithful companion of its destiny, it falls 
when the tree is cut down ; death itself does not 
relax its grasp, and it continues to adorn with its 
verdure the dry trunk which once supported it." 
These ideas, equally refined and pathetic, have 
the additional merit of truth. The Ivy is attached 
to the earth by its own roots, and derives no nourish- 
ment from the substances to which it clings. The 
protector of ruins, it adorns the dilapidated walls 
which it holds together : it will not accept every 
kind of support, but its attachments end only with 
its life. 
