194 Domestic Intelligence 



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of all the forests, which are seen from this place, have greatly 

 expanded. But they were all of a pallid hue, until this after- 

 noon. Within the period of about six hours, they have all 

 changed their color to a beautiful green. As the only efficient 

 change which has taken place is, that we have a serene sky 

 and a bright sun, we may say with confidence, that this 

 change of color is produced by the action of the sun's rays. 



Seven years ago next month, I had a still more favorable 

 opportunity to observe this phenomenon, in company with 

 the Hon. J. Lansing late Chancellor of this State. While 

 we were engaged in taking a geological survey of his 

 manor of Blenheim, the leaves of the forest had expanded to 

 almost the common size, in cloudy weather. I believe the 

 sun had scarcely shone upon them in twenty days. Standing 

 upon a hill, we observed that the dense forests on the oppo- 

 site side of the Schoharie were almost white. The sun now 

 began to shine in full brightness. The color of the forests 

 absolutely changed so fast, that we could perceive its prog- 

 ress. By the middle of the afternoon the whole of these ex- 

 tensive forests, many miles in length, presented their usual 

 green summer dress. 



Direction of the branches of trees. — A tree shoots out its 

 branches like all other trees of the same species, external cir- 

 cumstances being similar. But there is one remarkable fact 

 in the direction of branches, which I have not seen noticed in 

 any publication. 



All trees with spreading branches, accommodate the direction 

 of the lower branches to the surface of the earth over which 

 they extend. This may be seen in orchards growing on the 

 sides of hills, and in all open forests. But the crowded situ- 

 ation of the wild woods of our country, prevents a sufficient 

 extension of branches to exhibit this character. 



This fact presents a curious subject for the investigation of 

 the phytologist. The question presented is this : What in- 

 fluence can the earth have upon the branches on the upper 

 side of the tree, which causes them to form a different angle 

 with the body of the tree from the angle formed by the 

 branches on the lower side, so that all the branches hold a 

 parallel direction to the earth's surface ? 



Hollow Trees. — The growth of trees is not influenced by 

 any circumstance connected with their internal woody parts. 



Mr. Knight's central vessel hypothesis, and the authority 

 of numerous able physiologists, seem to be at variance with 



