"In the beginning of August, after a sun-shine day, the air became suddenly misty about six o'clock; I walked, however, by the road side from seven to eight, and observed, in many places, that a shower of big drops of water was falling under the large trees, although no rain {183} fell elsewhere. The road and path continued dusty, and the field-gates showed no signs of being wetted by the mist. I have often noticed the like fact, but have not met with a satisfactory explanation of this power in trees to condense mist." I am not the only poet who has availed himself of the Fierro Tree. It is thus introduced in the Columbus of Carrara,--a singular work, containing, amid many extravagancies, some passages of rare merit: Ecce autem inspector miri dum devius ignis Fertur, in occursum miræ magis incidit undæ. Æquoris in medio diffusi largiter arbor Stabat, opaca, ingens, ævoque intacta priori, Grata qiues Nymphis, et grata colentibus umbram Alitibus sedes, quarum vox blanda, nec ullâ Musicus arte canor sylvam resonare docebat. Auditor primum rari modulaminis, utque Cominus admovit gressum, spectator et hæsit; Namque videbat, uti de cortice, deque supernis Crinibus, argentum guttatim mitteret humens Truncus, et ignaro plueret Jove; moxque serenus In concham caderet subjecti marmoris imber, Donec ibi in fontem collectis undique rivis {184} Cresceret, atque ipso jam non ingratus ab ortu Redderet humorem matri, quæ commodat umbram. Dum stupet et quærit, cur internodia possit Unda; per et fibras, virides et serpere rugas, Et ferri sursum, genio ducente deorsum; Adstitit en Nympha; dubitat decernere, Nais, Anne Dryas, custos num fontis, an arboris esset; Verius ut credam, Genius sub imagine Nymphæ Ille loci fuerat. Quam præstantissimus Heros Protinus ut vidit, Parce, o pulcherrima, dixit, Si miser, et vestras ejectus nuper ad oras Naufragus, idem audax videor fortasse rogando. Dic age, quas labi video de stipite, lymphæ Montibus anne cadant, per operta foramina ductæ, Mox trabis irriguæ saliant in frondea sursum Brachia, ramalesque tubos; genitalis an alvus Umbrosæ genitricis alat; ceu sæpe videmus Balsama de truncis, stillare electra racemis. Pandere ne grave sit cupienti noscere causam Vilia quæ vobis usus miracula fecit. Hæc ubi dicta, silet. Tum Virgo ita reddidit, Hospes Quisquis es, (eximium certe præsentia prodit) {185} Deciperis, si forte putas, quas aspicis undas Esse satas terrâ; procul omni a sede remota Mira arbos, uni debet sua munera Cœlo. Quâ ratione tamen capiat, quia noscere gestis Edicam; sed dicendis ne tædia repant, Hic locus, hæc eadem, de quâ cantabitur, arbor Dat tempestivam blandis afflatibus umbram: Hic una sedeamus; et ambo fontis ad undam Consedere; dehinc intermittente parumper Concentu volucrum, placido sic incipit ore.