6G LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [Nov. 



sulphurous smell. A curious fact in connection with the above is 

 that the lightning in travelling along the stem deviated several times 

 from a straight course to avoid coming in contact witli the branches, 

 though these Avere, for the greater part, botli small and decayed. 



This case, which so far agrees with the observations of Professor 

 Calladon, is, however, not readily reconciled with the following, at 

 least if we take for granted that the bark cells in larch and Scotch 

 lir timbers are arranged in a similar manner: — A large Scotch lir on 

 on this estate was struck by lightning at forty feet from the ground, 

 the course taken by the fluid in this case being exactly the opposite 

 of that on the larch — a straight line from top to botton of the stem. 

 I have frequently noticed that in hardwoods, more especially oak and 

 ash, the top of the tree is the part usually damaged by lightning, 

 whereas the lower portions are, as a rule, left unharmed. 



The questions asked by Mr. Micliic are certainly of the greatest 

 importance, and I only hope they will attract the attention of some 

 one interested in, or partially acquainted with the subject. 



A. D. AVebstee. 

 Pexuhyn Castle, North Wales. 



Can you name the enclosed ? It is a young deciduous smooth 

 barked tree, and many people have failed to name it. It is growing 

 in Herefordshire iu the grounds of a house where I was staying. 



H. Peney Powel. 



WOEIISTALE, HlTN-GEUFOKD, BeEKS, 

 6(/( Oct. 1S84. 



[The leaves sent are those of Acer Negundo. — Ed.] 



