OF NATURE. 73 
trees like all other vegetables imbibe the wa- 
ter from the earth, which water does not cir- 
culate again to the root, as the ancients ima- 
gined 1 j but being difperfed, like fmall rain, 
by the tranfpiration of the leaves, moiftens the 
plants that grow about. Again, many trees 
bear flefliy fruits of the berry or apple kind, 
which, being fecure from the attack of cattle, 
grow ripe for the ufe of man, and other ani- 
mals, while their feeds are difperfed up and 
down after digeftion. Laftly the particular 
flrudture of trees contribute very much to the 
propagation of infedts *, for thefe chiefly lay 
their eggs upon their leaves, where they are 
fecure from the reach of cattle. 
Ever-green trees , and Jhrubs with us are chief- 
ly found in the moil barren woods, that they 
may be afhelter to animals in the winter. They 
lofe their leaves every third year, as their feeds 
are fufliciently guarded by the mojfes , and do 
not want any other covering. The palms in 
the hot countries perpetually keep their leaves, 
for there the feecjs ftand in no need of any 
Ihelter whatever. 
* See Vegetable Statics by that great pliilofopher Dr v 
Hales, where this fubjeft is treated in a maiterly way. 
