142 
DOTTINGS ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. IX—B. S. 
was as careful to expunge incidental errors as he was 
in his more abstruse treatises. To show how far I 
would go in clothing scientific facts into a popular 
garb, I read to Captain Dow a story which I contrived 
in order to illustrate the natural history of that most 
singular of our European plants, the Mistleto. It 
was subsequently published in the Christmas num¬ 
ber of the ‘Athenaeum,’ and reprinted by various 
other papers. Whilst the good ship ‘ Guatemala ’ 
is ma kin g her way towards Panama, it may while 
away the time of my readers. So here it is for their 
perusal:— 
The Mistleto and the Appletree. 
The Mistleto was in great distress. The Apple- 
tree he had been living with had suddenly died, and 
he was now compelled to look out for another home. 
So entering a fine large orchard, full of all sorts of 
fruit, and making a polite how to the best Apple-tree, 
he introduced himself as Mr. Mistleto, late resident of 
Appleton Grove. “ I have been living for years with 
one of your kindred,” he commenced, “and now my 
friend has died, and I have to find shelter somewhere. 
I see you have a good many stout branches unoccu¬ 
pied; would you allow me to take up my quarters 
there for awhile ?” 
“Certainly not,” replied the Apple-tree. “You 
are an idle vagabond, and would not be content with 
living with me, but you would live upon me. I knew 
the Apple-tree you speak of very well, indeed; we 
were brought up in the same nursery together, and I 
