180 
NATURE 
[| Fune 30, 1870 
Jacobi’s collection, and affected them with a putrefactive disease 
analogous to that of the potato, in which a Peronospora also 
takes part.—A note by M. E. F. Marey, ‘On the mechanism 
of the flight of birds,”’ was communicated by M. H, Sainte- 
Claire Deville, to which we have adverted in another column. 
—A note by M. E. Perrin, presented by M. de Quatrefages, con- 
tained observations on the scissiparous reproduction of the 
Naidea, as evinced in the genus Devo.—Other papers communi- 
cated were a note by M. Yvon Villarceau, '‘‘On the decimal 
division of angles and of time ;” a note by M. Morache, ‘‘On 
the use of creosote in the treatment of typhoid fever ;”” one by 
M. Pegrani, ‘On the relation of the sympathetic nerve to the 
secretion of urine;” and one by M. Duboux, ‘‘On a new sign 
of death.” 
Boston 
Natural History Society, March 16.—The secretary read 
the following observations of Mr. L. Trouvelot, upon the ten- 
dency of trees to bend toward the east. Inthe Scientific American, 
of March 5th, 1870, is inserted a paragraph headed ‘‘ The 
Growth of Tree Trunks.” It is there stated that a French 
naturalist had been measuring the tree trunks in a forest, and had 
found them all broader in the east-west than in the north-south 
direction, while another arborist of Toulouse, similarly gauging 
the trees, found the greatest swelling of their trunks towards the 
east-south-east ; the former attributing this want of symmetry to 
the rotation of the earth, while the latter thinks that it is due to the 
earlyaction of thesunupon thesap. As this paragraph reminded 
me of some observations which I made some five or six years ago, 
and which bear closely upon the same subject, I will present them 
to the society, thinking they may have some value in a scientific 
as well as in a practical point of view. While in the country, 
if we observe attentively the tree tops, we shall soon perceive 
that many species seem affected by a steady wind, though there 
is not the least breeze to be felt. Soon we notice that the 
branches of a great many trees have a general tendency to obey 
an unknown force which bends their extremities towards the 
east, or perhaps more correctly, in a direction perpendicular to 
the magnetic meridian. This bending of small branches cannot 
be observed so plainly upon all kinds of trees ; some species 
having it well marked in every instance, while other species have it 
less visible, and even some others not at all noticeable. Most 
prominent for this peculiarity is the cherry tree, sometimes 
bending its branches towards the east, from head to foot. Next 
to this come the maple, the button wood tree (P/atanus), then 
the pear tree, then the oak, etc. In the last named it is not 
always noticeable, though if the tree is isolated from others it is 
very plainineveryinstance. With the cherry tree it isso certain, 
that one could almost invariably determine the cardinal points 
by looking at the direction of its branches. At first I thought 
this might be due to the action of the prevailing winds, but this 
hypothesis was somewhat shaken, when I saw in many instances 
cherry trees sheltered entirely from the west winds by high 
blocks of houses within a few feet of them, exhibiting the same 
phenomenon. Whether this direction of the branches of trees is 
to be attributed to the prevailing winds, or to the rotation of the 
earth upon its axis, or to the heat or light of the sun, or again, 
to terrestrial magnetism, I shall not inquire at present, not 
having sufficient data to establish any theory. It would be of 
value, I venture to say, if observers would direct attention to this 
subject, and see if the direction is the same all over the globe, 
or if it is a local phenomenon, and also ascertain what species of 
trees obey this unknown force. It is not only in a theoretical 
point of view that this observation has some value ; there is in ita 
practical lesson for the cultivators of shade and fruit trees. Soon 
after my observations, it struck me that something practical could 
be derived from this truth. All country people know by experi- 
ence—sometimes dearly bought—that the transplantation of trees 
does not always succeed, and especially when the transplanted 
trees have arrived at a certain age. Fruit growers tell us that 
the cherry tree is one of those least likely to live when trans- 
planted, while the apple tree will almost invariably succeed. 
My observations on many thousand cherry trees have shown me 
that this tree is very sensitive to the unknown force, while the 
apple tree is a great deal less so, and it is very seldom that an 
indication of bending will be seen. Has not this anything to do 
with success in transplanting? If, without regard to the direc- 
tion of the branches ofa cherry tree, we set this tree ina position 
contrary to the one it occupied before, its branches now bending 
towards the west, then it is plain that the force which gave it 
the bend is acting in an opposite direction, in consequence of 
which the tree is suffering. But with the apple tree it is different, 
as this is far less sensitive ; therefore it will not suffer much. 
Ten years ago I bought a fine cherry tree and transplanted it to 
my garden, of course without regard to direction ; the tree is 
now living ; it has not grown a particle: there has not been one 
inch of new wood added to the length of its twigs since it was 
put there ; the branches have no bend. Five years ago another 
cherry tree from the same place was also transplanted in my 
yarden ; the tree is now treble the size of the other, its branches 
are strongly bent east. Why this difference? Was the one set 
in asuitable position, and the other not? I could not tell. But 
here is something more positive. Three years ago I saw in 
Malden twenty beautiful pear trees transplanted with the greatest 
care; all these trees were of pretty good size, being some years 
old, and they all bent very strongly. They were set without 
regard to direction; five or six of these trees happened to be 
placed in about the position which they must have had when 
growing, the remainder were set in all directions. I went many 
times that way to watch the success of this small orchard. The 
very first year about one half were completely dead. The second 
year took five more, which had been languishing all the summer, 
and now five out of the twenty are living and in good condition, 
and strange to say, these five are those which were set with 
their branches dipping east. Do we owe their life to the fact 
that after being transplanted they occupied the same relative 
position with regard to the points of the compass as before, or 
is it only a curious coincidence? It is more than I can tell. 
My experience is not sufficient to allow an opinion in this matter ; 
time will throw light upon the subject. 
DIARY 
FRIDAY, Juv 
GEo.oecists’ ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
SUNDAY, Jury 3. 
Sunpay_ Lecture Society, at 8.—On Man's Cruelty to Man: Rey. Allen 
D, Graham. 
MONDAY, Jvty 4. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7, 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 4.—Botany: Prof. Balfour. 
Roya INsTITUTION, at 2.—General Monthly Meeting of Members. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnGuisu.—Guide to the Western Alps: J. Ball (Longmans).—Treatise on 
the Astrolabe of Chaucer: A. E. Brae (J. R. Smith).—On the Manufacture 
of Beet root Sugar: W. Crookes (Longmans).—A Glance at some of the 
Principles of Comparative Philology : Lord Neaves (Black woods).—Techno- 
logical Dictionary \ English-German-French), edited by E. Althaus (Williams 
and ‘Norgate).—Astronomical Observations taken during the years 1865-1869 
at the Private Observatory of J. G. Barclay (Williams and Norgate).—West- 
ward by Rail: W. F. Rae (Longmans). 
Foreicn.—(Through Willams and Norgate).— Petit traité de physique ; 
1‘ fascicule: M. J Jamin.—Bryozoi fossili Italiani; 3** Contribuzione: D. 
A. Manzoni.—Reactions Schema fiir die qualitative analyse zum Gebrauche 
in chemischen Laboratorium zu Berlin.—Jahresbericht iiber die Fortschritte 
der Chemie: A. Strecker. — Archiv fiir mikroskopische Anatomie: M. 
Schultze.—Vorweltliche Pflanzen aus den Steinkohlengebirge der preussis- 
chen Rheinlande und Westphalien : Dr. C. J. Andrea.—Phanologische Beo- 
bachtungen aus dem Pflanzen und Thier-reiche : Karl Fritsch. Annales del 
Museo Publico de Buenos Aires: F. Savy ed Autor. 
CONTENTS Pace 
NATURAL SCIENCE AT THE Roya Acapemy. By Joun BretT .. 157 
On THE Naturat Laws or MuscuLcar Exertion. By Prof. W. 
STANLEY JEVONS . « . . J PRM en ie) 
THe Naw ZeaAcaANnD INSTITUTE. 4h sy (a oe a ee ee 
OTHER WoRLDs THAN Ours. By Rev. Prof. C. PxircHarp, F.R.S.. 161 
‘Our Book ‘SHELF "> SO ec seem e gash ts oe ye Oren ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpiTor :— 
Parhelia.—E. J. Lowe; E. Brown. (With Iélustrations.). . . 163 
Natural History of Celebes.—Dr. ADoLF BERNHARD MEYER . . 164 
Fertilisation of the Barberry.—T. H. Farrer «6 Le ae 
The Corona,—R. A. Procror, F.R.A.S. . . 1. . ss 6 «© « 164 
Euclid as a Text-book.—R. WorMELL . . 4. we us 164 
Storms and Fishes a es oo en 5 nee ey 
The Scientific Education of Women.—J, Sruarr . « « 1265 
ILLUMINATION OF THESEA . +... ec ss ae te ee 
Fiicut: Figure or 8 WAve THEORY oF WING MovEMENTS. » & 3166 
A: FALLOF VEULOWIRAIN: *. i 0. "2° cn, ba BLS). S)ee eee 
Retics or Non-Historic Times In Jersey. CONSERVATION v. DE- 
STRUCTION. By Lieut. S. P. Otiver, R.A. . . «. «. » « . - 166 
SounDINGS AND DREDGINGS BY THE UNiTED STATES CoasT SURVEY. 167 
NC y Sa a ne Pe mow Te Pee 
Facts AND REASONINGS CONCERNING THE HETEROGENOUS EvoLu- 
TION OF LivinG Tuincs. By H. CuHariton Bastian, M.D. 
FURS. (With Iifustrations.) ele) ae shia) 2s 1s) ee 
Scranzivic Seriais . 1 su eCshs G0 “Shep ts ene ene 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES . 4 «© «1 6 6 bce pw er Pe oe 
Diary AND Books RECEIVED .« « - © « © © © © © © «© © » 180 
