3C6 PECULIARITIES IN GROWTH OF HAWTHORN -THEE. 
The Waratah has large and strong roots, and throws up numerous 
suckers, more especially in its wild state, at short distances apart ; this 
has been more particularly noticed — as if to sustain its power of re- 
production — when a flowering branch has been destroyed by cutting 
the blossoms ; for it has been remarked in many instances, that the 
trees transplanted in or reared and cultivated in the gardens, and the 
flowers preserved, have not so frequently produced suckers, as when 
the blossoms have been cut, very probably from that means of repro- 
duction not being naturally required. The suckers are found to bear 
transplanting very well. 
Sydney^ New South Wales^ September 21, 1865. 
OX SOME PECULTAEITIES IN THE GROWTH OF THE 
HAWTHORN-TREE. 
By the Rev. W. H. Purciias- 
{From the Transactions of the Midland Scientific Association.) 
Mr. Jesse, in his ' Gleanings in Natural History,' calls attention to 
the fact that the stems of old Hawthorn-trees become divided into a 
number of subordinate stems, which, he says, form " to appearance so 
many distinct trees closely planted together, except that they all meet 
at the butt of the tree."* When, many years ago, I first read this 
* '* Wliile on the subject of trees, I will notice the present state of the old 
thorna in Buslij Park, from which it probably talies its name. These trees 
are generally supposed to hare been in existence at the time of Oliver Crom- 
well, the part being then used as a hare park. As they increase in age they 
hare the property of separating themselves into different stems, some having 
four or five, or even six, which, as they separate, become regularly barked 
round, formingj to appearance, so many distinct trees closely planted together, 
except that they all meet at the butt of the tree. Some of tlie trees are now 
undergoing this process of separation, having already thrown out one stem, 
while in other parts they are deeply indented with seams down the whole stem. 
These, gradually deepening from opposite sides towards the centre, will at last 
split the tree into a number of separate stems which are barked round. In 
other trees the seam is hardly visible, though none of them are without it. 
This peculiarity seems confined to the Thorn, and as 1 have not observed it in 
those which appear to liave been more recently planted, it is probably the effect 
of ijreat age, though tlie trees nve still flourishing." 
