So 
(ECONOMY 
whence putrefaction follows. Then the muflp 
room kinds find a fit place for nourifhment oh 
them, and corrupt them ftill more. The 
called the dermeftes^ next makes himfelf 
a way between the bark, and the wood. The 
mujk-beetle, the copper talc beetle , and the cater- 
pillar or coftus 812. bores an infinite number 
of holes through the trunk. Lafily the wood- 
peckers come, and while they are feeking for 
infedts, wear away the tree, already corrupt- 
ed; till the whole paffes into earth. Such in- 
duftry does nature ufe to deftroy the trunk of 
a tree ! Nay trees immerfed in water would 
fcarcely ever be deftroyed, were it not for the 
worm that eats ftiips, which performs this 
work ; as the failor knows by fad experience. 
! Thiftles , as the moil ufefull of plants, are 
armed, and guarded by nature herfelf. Sup- 
pofe there were a heap of clay, on which for 
many years no plant has fprung up ; let the 
feeds of the thiftle blow there, and grow, the 
thiftles by their leaves attradl the moiflure out 
of the air, fend it into the clay by means of 
their roots, will thrive themfelves, and afford 
a fhade. Let now other plants come hither* 
and they will foon cover the ground. St, 
Bielke. 
AH 
