362 



Mr F. Darwin and Mr R. W. Phillips, [Nov. 23, 



Exp. 37. The following experiments, also on Portugal laurel, 

 confirms the above result. The first cut (I.) was at 10 cm. from 

 the base, II., III., IV., V. were on the opposite side at distances of 

 10, 7, 4, 2 cm. from I. 



Sept. 1, 1885 Time l Rate 



In the following table the amount of diminution in the rate 

 of absorption produced by the cuts is expressed as a percentage 

 of the rate recorded before each cut was made. 



The point in which the experiments confirm each other is that 

 the big effects are produced by the second cut, and by the last cut. 

 That is to say (i) when the current is thrown across the line of the 

 branch, and (ii) when the obliquity reaches the amount produced 

 by a distance of two centimeters between the cuts. 



Elfving* has explained the difficulty experienced in forcing 



water under pressure through coniferous wood in a tangential 



direction. The same explanation is applicable to the double 



sawing experiments. Fig. 7 represents a " doubly sawn " branch. 



* Sot. Zeitung, 1882. 



