104 TRANSACTIOXS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Sess. lxii. 



" In the case of evergreea conifers, the limitation of growth towards 

 the north, or on lofty mountain tracts, is not so much due to the actual 

 degree of cold to -which they are exposed, but is principally caused 

 through dry winds on sunny days in winter stimulating transpiration 

 through the leaves at a time when the roots can draw no fresh supplies 

 of moisture from the frost-bound soil. Owing to the loss of moisture 

 contained in the tree, the foliage becomes yellow and sickly, the growth 

 impaired, the spines or needles are shed, and, finally, the death of the 

 tree ensues. This phenomenon is most distinctly noticeable after long 

 dry winters with comparatively frequent sunshine." — R. Hartig, "Lehr- 

 buch der Baumkrankheiten,'" 2nd ed., 1889, pp. 104, 261 ; trausl. by 

 Nisbet — " British Forest Trees," p. 25. 



" The differences found in the growth of trees in different years 

 represent a record of the influences of the seasons upon the growth of 

 trees. Spruces make their greatest growth in seasons that are generally 

 of a wet character. Larch and j^ines invariably make their greatest 

 growths in seasons of a moderate character. In very dry seasons 

 spruces make comparatively small growth if they are not on a soil of a 

 cool-bottomed nature." — "The Forester,'" by James Brown, LL.D. (6th 

 ed.). Enlarged and edited by Jolin Nisbet, D-Q^c. Vol. ii. p. 357. 



" On taking a general view of the ten years' observations, one of the 

 most striking results is the great variation in the annual increase of the 

 vast majority of the trees, indicative, it is to be presumed, mainly of a 

 marked sensitiveness to the varying meteorological conditions of the 

 different seasons through which they have passed." — David Christison, 

 M.D., F.S.A. Scot., "Trans. Bot. Soc, Edin.," vol. xvii. p. 393 (1889). 



"The depressing effect upon girth-increase of disease or injury may 

 be prolonged for years after the date of the disease or injury, even when 

 the affected trees appear perfectly healthy. ... A question of much 

 interest is whether trees which have suiTered a prolonged depression in 

 their girth increase, from low winter temperatures or other causes, will 

 eventually recover their normal rate." — Christison, loc. cit. 



" Generally the girth-increase is more evenly distributed over the 

 season in the Coniferge than in the deciduous species." — Christison, 

 "Trans. Bot. Soc, Edin.," vol. xix. p. 331 (1892). 



Excursion of the Scottish Alpine Botanical Club 

 TO KiLLiN IN 1807. By William Craig, M.D., F.IJ.S.K, 

 Secretary. 



(Read 13tli January 1898.) 



Tlie Excursion of the Scottish Alpine Botanical Club 

 in 1897 was to the Breadalbane Mountains, in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Killin, a district that always well repays the 

 botanist to visit. On Monday, 2nd August 1897, the 

 following members of the Club met in John Cameron's 

 Ilotol, liridge of Lochay, Killin, and were most comfortably 

 accommodated ]>y Miss Cameron : — William 15. ])oyd, I'resi- 



