144 CEDRQS ATLANTTCA 



The two in the field, when I was there in June 1899, 

 were healthy, well furnished, and flourishing trees, and have 

 never displayed any abnormal tendencies ; whereas the third 

 one, near the house, has from the very first regularly shed 

 its leaves every autumn, and assumed them again in the 

 following spring, deciduously, like the Larch. 



The photograph shows the Cedar as it was at the end 

 of January 1900, and, except for the absence of leaves, 

 presents nothing remarkable — unless, indeed, the growth be 

 a little less robust and more straggly than usual, and than 

 that of its two sisters in the open. 



Of course I need scarcely remark that the thickened 

 processes that appear on the branches are not leaves, but 

 arrested branchlets. 



Mr Kent supposes that the deciduous character is only an 

 abnormal state produced by situation, or some local cause, 

 though why that should be I can offer no explanation, nor 

 am I aware whether botanical science has suggested any 

 theory about the fall of the leaf in some trees and not in 

 others. 



