soils, and others, whose roots have power to permeate the stiffest and most obdurate. The above explanations will account for much of the incongruity which we find in authors regarding the adaptation of certain kinds of timber to certain soils. In describing the soils suitable for different kinds of trees, Mr Cruickshank mentions, that “the Scots fir will thrive in very barren situations, provided the soil be dry. Dryness is, in fact, the {336} most indispensable requisite in order to produce a good crop of Scots fir, and it is never advisable to plant this tree in very moist ground, or where draining is necessary to carry off the surface water.”—“Stiff land seems decidedly hostile to its growth.”—“On a deep rich soil it grows very fast, attains a large size, and soon decays. In these circumstances, its wood is spongy, and of inferior value.”—“The most important precept that can be delivered with regard to this tree, is never to plant it either in _wet_ or _very stiff_ land.” “The larch is also a very hardy plant, and is sure to thrive on any land that will answer for the Scots fir. It is, however, less delicate in its choice of soil than the latter, and will grow in a much greater degree of moisture.”—“This tree is one of the surest growers we have in barren soils.” “The spruce is as partial to moist land as the Scots fir is to dry; and in this particular these two species stand directly opposed to one another.”—“Spruce may indeed appear to thrive in a dry situation for a few years; but by the time it reaches ten or twelve feet in height, its lower branches will decay, and after that period it will make little progress, but remain even a cumberer of the soil.”—“ Spruce seems to be most partial to a cold stiff clay: it is, {337} however, a very hardy plant, and not very nice in its choice of soil, provided it have enough of sap.”—“I do not mean such as is deluged in winter with stagnant water. This is incompatible with the growth of wood of every kind.”—“The silver fir and balm of Gilead will answer in the same kinds of land as the spruce.”—“They, together with the spruce, are invaluable for where the soil is deep peat-moss, as neither the Scots fir nor the larch will thrive in it.” * * * * * There is in the above quotations, in common with many of our opinions (formed hastily upon a too partial acquaintance with facts), a considerable proportion both of truth and error. Such sweeping assertions will, however, generally command the assent and admiration of the reader. From the enjoyment the mind has in forming clear conceptions and reaching conclusions, from its love of order, and from its disposition to cling to every thing like definite, unfluctuating arrangement, to assist its limited powers of comprehension, we are led away by the author, who reduces the character of natural phenomena to great simplicity, although in reality exceedingly complicated.