"Every morning near this part of the island a cloud or mist arises from the sea, which the south and easterly winds force against the fore-mentioned steep cliff, so that the cloud having no vent but by the gutter, gradually ascends it and from thence advances slowly to the extremity of the valley, where it is stopped and checked by the front of the rock which terminates the valley, and then rests upon the thick leaves and wide-spreading branches of the tree, from whence it distils in drops during the remainder of the day, until it is at length exhausted, in the same manner that we see water drip from the leaves of trees after a heavy shower of rain. This distillation is not peculiar to the garse or til, for the bresos, which grow near it, likewise drop water; but their leaves being but few and narrow, the quantity is so trifling, that though the natives save some of it, yet they make little or no account of any but what distils from the til; which together with the water of some fountains and what is saved in the winter season, is sufficient to serve them and their flocks. This tree yields most water in those years when the Levant or easterly winds have prevailed for a continuance; for by these winds only, the clouds or mists are drawn hither from the sea. A person lives on the spot near which this tree grows who is appointed by the council to take care of it and its water, and is allowed a house to live in, with a certain salary. He every day distributes to each family of the district seven pots or vessels full of water, besides what he gives to the principal people of the island." CHAPTER VI. _Usefulness of the Ash Tree--Its position among Sacred Trees--The Queen of Trees--Mythology of the Ash--Scotch superstitious usages--The "Ash Faggot Ball" Somersetshire--Pliny and others on the Serpent and the Ash--The Ash as a medium of cure of complaints--Anecdotes--Phallic Associations--The New Birth--Ireland and the Ash--The Juniper Tree--The Madonna and the Juniper--The Elm Tree--Mythology of the Elm--The Apple Tree--Mythological allusions to the Apple Tree--The Pine Tree--Wind Spirits--German Superstitions--The Oak Tree--Universal Sacredness of the Oak--The Oak of the Hebrew Scriptures--Classic Oaks--Socrates and his oath--Greek sayings--The Trees speaking--Sacred Oak of Dodona--Legend of Philemon and Baucis--The Hamadryads--The Yule Log--St. Boniface--Mysteries connected with the Oak--The Christmas Tree._