SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



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ascending growth of the ash and the more 

 pendulous habit of the beech. In the wych-elm 

 one-eighth of an inch is a common thickness of the 

 year's shoot. In the small-leaved elm (Ulmus 

 campestris) it is commonly less than this. 



6. Relative Force of Development in Buds. 

 This, especially in terminal compared with the 

 axillary buds, has also much to do with determining 

 the general form of the tree. It varies in different 

 individuals of the same species, as, for example, in 

 the younger and more free-growing states of the 

 wych-elm, compared with the aged or less vigorous 

 growing examples of the same tree. In the former 

 case the last bud on the shoot, although not strictly 

 terminal, takes the lead of the others and prolongs 

 the branch in the original direction. In the latter 

 case one or more of the lateral buds takes the lead, 

 and changes the direction of growth. The same 

 thing occurs in the oak. In the sessile-fruited oak 

 the terminal bud is more frequently than in the 

 peduncled oak the strongest, or has most force of 

 development. Thus we see the branches more 

 commonly prolonged in one line than in the other 

 case. In the beech the terminal bud almost always 

 takes the lead. 



7. Formation of Spurs. — These give rise, 

 season after season, to flowers and fruit from 



their terminal bud, and thus scarcely lengthen 

 at all. We see this in the beech ; and as some 

 individual trees are much more given than others 

 to the formation of spurs, there is a corresponding 

 difference in the amount of leafy growth. 



8. Suppression of Buds and Death of older 

 Branchlets. — It often happens, as already 

 mentioned, that the buds on the earlier part of the 

 last year's shoot, continue dormant and eventually 

 die; the buds nearer the point of the shoot 

 absorbing the nutriment and continuing the 

 growth. Thus those earlier parts of the yearly- 

 shoots eventually become bare and naked parts of 

 the branch . Moreover, many of the smaller branches 

 which once were active and vigorous eventually 

 perish, by the younger growth gradually depriving 

 them of nourishment. We see this in the sycamore, 

 the limbs being naked for some distance from their 

 origin, but bearing towards their extremity a mass 

 of bushy growth. 



Such are the chief causes which, so far as I have 

 observed, contribute to give to each tree its 

 characteristic mode of branching. It is very 

 probable that there may be other causes which 

 have escaped me, and I am well assured that on the 

 whole question there is much more to be known 

 than I have yet been able to recognise. 



Ahtonfield Vicarage, Ashbourne ; June 26th, tSj^. 



THE VALUE OF A HOBBY. 



By John T. Carrington. 



T NDER the above title our contemporary " The 

 Spectator," of June 30th, publishes an article, 

 written in its lighter vein. It is founded upon the 

 gift by Mr. G. F. Watts, the Royal Academician, 

 of £1,000 to the Home Industries and Arts 

 Association, a society for cultivating hobbies 

 among busy people, as a relaxation in their leisure 

 hours. 



It is now generally conceded that there is much 

 hygienic value in a perfect change of thought and 

 occupation for the mind, at intervals, from our 

 daily routine of necessary work. Even in our own 

 times we can remember the school of mercenary 

 persons who discouraged any deviation from the 

 strict line of business. People who spoke con- 

 temptuously of young men, who, after office hours, 

 laboriously worked for a knowledge of higher 

 things than the columns of figures with which 

 they had been engaged all day. " He is no good, 

 he spends his time in fly-catching and gathering 

 herbs," was often, and we may say is still to be 

 heard, about some rising botanist or entomologist. 

 Public thought has, however, of late years changed 

 greatly in favour of the scientific hobby. Men 



have found that from those who devoted their 

 leisure to scientific investigation, have arisen 

 celebrated chemists, electricians, geographical ex- 

 plorers and others, who have made discoveries of 

 immense value to the human race. When actual 

 monied results became visible from the labours 

 of these people, then the purely money-loving 

 business man began to look with favour upon 

 their hobbies. 



The writer in the "Spectator" places natural 

 history third in the list of recommended hobbies, 

 giving preference to music and sketching. We 

 very naturally consider that writer all wrong in 

 his judgment, and will endeavour to show reasons 

 why natural science should take first place. 



Especially for the young of both sexes, is the 

 study of any of the natural sciences of the utmost 

 value. Leaving aside the application of the old 

 motto about Satan finding mischief still for idle 

 hands to do, a physically and mentally healthy 

 occupation during the growing period of youth, 

 lays a sound foundation for a strong lifetime to 

 follow. It is a matter for serious doubt whether 

 the present system of educational cramming with 



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