339 
mass frequently found at the bottom. Sound dead wood that has 
become dry and hard does not matter. Then wash the surface of 
the wood that is left exposed with a strong solution of carbolic 
be surfaced with cement. In the case of black trunks lampblack 
may be mixed with the outer layer of cement or it may be dusted 
over thickly with soot whilst wet. An intelligent workmen may be 
able also to imitate the characteristic corrugations or markings of 
the trunk, 
These, however, are mere refinements. The chief points are, the 
keeping out of moisture and the provision of a surface over which 
e new bark may grow. a tree is in a state of vigorous 
growth, as many hollow trees are, the bark will in time close over 
the “ stopping.” But unless some surface is provided on which the 
new wood can set itself it forms the thickened rolls seen in the 
beech tree of the picture. In very hollow trees open on one side a 
curious spiral growth of wood is sometimes seen in place of these 
thickened rolls which is due to the new wood continually being 
deposited on its own inner surface. A remarkable example of this 
curious growth is exhibited in No. [V. Museum at Kew, presented 
by Lord Iveagh. It is a section of elm trunk that was so hollow as 
to be merely a shell a few inches thick. On one side of the trunk 
was a longitudinal slit. The tree appears to have a good growth and 
to have made vigorous efforts to close up the opening, but having no 
surface on which to deposit the new wood and bark and thus bridge 
over the gap between the two lips, it eventually formed by its con- 
tinual growth on the inner side two remarkable spirals suggesting 
a pair of scrolls. 
XLIIL—DECADES KEWENSES. 
PLanTaARuM Novarum IN Herpsario Hort Reait. 
DECAS LXVI. 
“2% 651, Mahonia confusa, Sprague [Berberidaceae]; affinis M. For- 
tunei, Fedde, a qua rhachi supra jugum supremum foliolorum 
producta, foliolis latioribus numerosioribus differt. 
Planta circiter 1:2 m. alta, Caulis nitidulus, superne in sicco 
: oli 
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