142 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [Dec. 



sustained further damage. A large group of elms, about the same 

 size, stood close to the beeches, but none of them appear to have 

 suffered. About 50 yards distant there are numerous beeches of 

 the same age, but none of them showed signs of injury. I have 

 Ion" been anxious to ascertain the precise damage done to large 

 beech trees by lightning in this country, from a prevailing notion 

 in America that this tree is never struck, and is therefore resorted 

 to by the rural inhabitants during thunderstorms. Several instances 

 in Britain are known to me of beech trees having been injured in 

 leaf and bark, but in no case killed by being split or torn to pieces 

 like other trees, such as oak, elm, ash, silver fir, etc. 



" Of recent years forest and ornamental trees damaged by lightning 

 have been numerous. Many trees, altliough not torn to pieces, are 

 often injured to such an extent as ultimately to cause death. 

 During spring large branches are found to be dead, and often the 

 whole tree, evidently tlie effects of lightning during the previous 

 summer or autumn, not observed at the time. 



" Wall-fruit trees are also subject to the effects of lightning ; the 

 injury is almost immediately observed by the sudden browning of 

 the leaves. In the case of stone fruits, besides being browned, 

 bursting of the Imrk often takes place, causing gum to ooze from the 

 injured portions."] 



Sir, — I am much obliged for your answer to my inquiry for the 

 name of a tree which you give as "Acer Negundo," page 66, 

 Forcstrj/ for November. On referring to London Encyclopa-dm 

 (1880 edition), under Class XXIII., Order L, I do not find an 

 " Acer Negundo," but I find " Negundium Americanum, ash-leaved 

 box elder." 



Is this the tree ? 



May I ask why Forestry is issued in biennial volumes 1 For 

 years I have had my Forestry bound up in one volume, not at all 

 too large. Two indices are so troublesome in a volume. 



Another thing, the Journal starts from 1st May in each year. 

 Could it not start from 1st January, like all other similar publica- 

 tions ? May has no forestal meaning in particular. 



I have no doubt you have given this matter due consideration, 

 but this is a case that is not merely a publisher's matter, — I am. 

 Sir, yours obediently, 



H. Penry Powel. 



"WOKMSTALL, HUNGEEFORD, BERKS. 



November Utk, 1884.- 



