57 
} 
under the influence of dircct light. The consequenee of the 
neglect of this natural Sanitary Law was dwelt upon. The 
: _ contrast of living and working in a room with a north aspect, and 
7 one with a south aspect, was shown, as well as the direct develop- 
_ __ ment of disease, especially of the hereditary type, under obstruction 
and diminution of light. The example of this Sanitary Law in 
vegetable life was given by the exhibit of a horizontal section of 
the vertical limb of a Holm, or Holly Oak, Tree (Quercus Ilex) of 
more than 20 years life in the Pinectum of R. E. Thomson, Esq., 
Kenfield Hall. The section was somewhat triangular or fanshaped, 
the largest side having a full curve which extended more into one 
_ side than the other, its mere outline thus expressing an irregularity 
of growth. The narrow curved end was directed to the north, 
whilst the full curved side faced the south. The axis from N. 
to 8. measured 74 inches, the central point of growth being one inch 
from the N. surface, the bark oecupying 4), inch; the 8. surface 
63 inches from this centre, the bark being a 3 of an inch thick. A 
line drawn at right angles to the N. and S. axis through a point 
84 inches from the centre of growth, and reaching the contour on 
either side, gave a length of 74 inches, passed through the greatest 
diameter in this direction and indicated the E. and W. points. 
The measurement from the point of intersection of these two lines, 
runuing in the direction of the points of the compass, to the out- 
side gave 4 inches to the E. and 33 inches to the W. The form of 
the contour, the S. side of this E. and W. line, taken as a base, 
was that of an irregular quadrant, whilst on the N. it was some- 
what triangular, the sides inclining inwards, more so, on the N.E. 
sides, than on the N.W. ‘The curved contour of the trunk was main- 
tained from a point 1}in N. of E. to an opposite spot 23in. N. of W. 
‘The curve on the W. side of S. was fuller or more bowed than the 
Eastern. The fullest growth of the wood and thickest bark were 
found within this boundary, the preponderance being on the E. of 
the Meridian line. The 20 annual rings that could be counted all 
_ expressed the same tendency of growth, though it was more pro- 
_ nounced in the last nine. The stem of the tree exhibited the 
same peculiarities, but in a less marked degree ; the growth on the 
_ N.E. and N.W. was not so proportionately defective. The tree 
had been cut down to give rooni for more valued trees that had 
been planted with it more than 20 years before." These trees were 
_ placed to the N. and extended toN.E. and N.W. Still further on the 
_ Eastern side a fine Ash tree of more than a century’s growth extended 
_ high up above all. These last disturbing causes had accentuated 
_ the defects, but at the same time emphasized the deductions to 
_ be made. Not only was this tree but partially and imperfectly 
_ influenced in its vigour and form of -growth by the direct rays of 
_ the sun, as many a tree growing by the side of a wood will show, 
_ but it was further crippled and deformed by additional obstruction 
