114 TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Sess. lv. 



was little more than half as vigorous as in May, top-shoot 

 growth was at its greatest energy, accomplishing four-fifths 

 of its total amount ; in August, when top-shoot growth 

 rapidly subsided, a similar rapid subsidence in girth-increase 

 took place in three trees, Abies Doiu/lasii, Pinus Pinaster, and 

 Araucaria imhricata ; but in three others — two specimens of 

 Abies Loiviana and one of Abies grandis — it rose to its monthly 

 maximum, and the increase was well marked even in 

 September. 



1890. — In this year the relation of girth-increase to the 

 growth of lateral shoots instead of top shoots was observed, a 

 system which, besides other advantages, allowed of deciduous 

 trees being studied as well as the Pinacese. Unfortunately I 

 was unable to take the lateral growth observations pari 'passu 

 with the weekly girth-increases. In the beginning of the 

 season the lateral growth was ascertained too seldom, and 

 by rather rude methods ; and I had to abandon the observa- 

 tions probably before the growing season was quite over ; 

 but the general results are perhaps not materially affected, 

 and I hope to test them by more precise observations in the 

 present year. 



I shall first endeavour to ascertain the period when the 

 buds started in the different species ; then consider its relation 

 to the start in girth-increase ; and finally show the correlation 

 of growth in girth and in lateral shoots throughout the 

 season. 



1. Commencement of Growth in the Lateral Shoots. 



That trees of different species, and even of the same 

 species, begin to bud at very various dates, is a matter of the 

 commonest observation, but to fix by measurement the pre- 

 cise period when activity begins in the buds is very difficult, 

 if not impossible, from the gradual and almost imperceptible 

 nature of the first movements. l*erhaps changes visible to 

 the eye and touch are more reliable in the earliest stages 

 than measurements, and I have trusted mainly to the former 

 accordingly. 



A. PiNACE/K. — In the five species under observation the 

 first movement could be tolerably well made out by a 

 softening and enlarging of the bud and the appearance of 



