Retnarkable Spruce Fir at Braco Castle. 173 



depended solely upon those inductions, and therefore may 

 not occur again. If I live, I mean to pay close attention 

 to this fungus, and report the result faithfully and particu- 

 larly, should you see fit to honour this communication so 

 far, as to insert it in your Magazine. In the meantime, I 

 state the following general facts. The specimens now sent 

 were gathered about the middle of May; the one which 

 much resembles an insect of the coleopterous tribe, was that 

 which produced the efflorescence on the piece of paper accom- 

 panying it ; it had been at work several nights before I laid it on 

 the paper, and the writing was added at the very time stated. 

 The other two specimens are sent merely as such ; and one is 

 divided to exhibit the concentric layers and radiations of the 

 internal structure. No efflorescence proceeded from these 

 layers of the inside, nor was that from the exterior surface 

 much disturbed or prevented by the section. I am inclined 

 to ascribe the effect to electricity as its ultimate cause, in this 

 particular instance; because, I think, the separation of the 

 fungus from its natural bed (the bark of the ash) might in- 

 terrupt the regular current, and produce anomalous effects. 

 Nevertheless, as vegetable electricity is governed by specific 

 laws, which exert different energies at different periods, I con- 

 ceive, that, although the ascending night-current might be 

 thus interrupted, the state of the atmosphere might induce 

 chemical affinities, by which the aqueous juices of the fungus 

 were decomposed, and sufficient heat developed to produce 

 radiation. Some such internal action must have been in- 

 duced, and that, too, by an energy which was not in action 

 during the day. Light must have been antagonist to it; for 

 the effect was never discerned till towards the hour of sunset, 

 and it ceased with the return of day. lam inclined to ascribe 

 the phenomenon secondarily to the decomposition of water ; 

 because the radiation ceased when the fungus became dry, and 

 was renewed, though only in a very slight degree, by immer- 

 sion in water. I am, Sir, &c. 



Grove House^ Dec. 2Q, 182S. Electricus. 



Art. XI. Some Account of a remarhahle Spruce Fir Tree in the 

 Woods at Braco Castle^ Perthshire, By Mr. Archibald 

 GoRRiE, C.M.H.S. 



Sir, . 



The luxuriance of the Indian banyan tree (Picus indlcus) 

 attracts the notice, and excites the astonishment, of European 



N 3 



