CH. VII.] GEEAT DISCHARGE OF SAP. 225 



growth in all its freshness, while that on the op- 

 posite side, having been smitten, though not killed, 

 by the storm, was completely seared and brown. 

 This reaction was not confined to the forest-trees, 

 those of smaller growth, such as the lilac and 

 laburnum, having also taken a new lease of life, 

 and reappeared in bloom towards the end of Sep- 

 tember and the beginning of October. 



The discharge of sap resulting from the sever- 

 ance of roots or branches of trees is sometimes 

 so extraordinary as almost to exceed belief. 

 Some notion of the quantity which thus escapes 

 may however be gathered from the two following 

 rather remarkable instances : 



I had noticed that a part of a friend's lawn, 

 to the extent of about two feet in diameter had 

 become suddenly converted into a regular quag- 

 mire, so saturated with moisture, that, on a stick 

 being thrust into it and withdrawn, the hole thus 

 made was instantly filled with liquid, such liquid 

 being dark in colour and offensive in smell. 



The conclusion naturally drawn from these 

 circumstances was that some old and forgotten 

 drain (probably leading from the stables, which 

 were at no great distance) had become choked, 

 and broken up there ; and accordingly my friend, 



Q 



