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The Museum Gazette 



soon increased so as to be a nuisance to the settlers. They 

 attained a large size, and it is probable had met with a better 

 supply of food and a far less inclement winter than they had 

 been accustomed to in their Highland haunts. The illustra- 

 tions are reproduced from originals given in the Field some 

 years ago. We believe that somewhat similar changes are 

 occasionally seen in stags in Hungary, and also that they 

 are not invariable in New Zealand. 



DORMANT BUDS ON LARCHES. 



The study of what are known as dormant buds is of much 

 interest. The term is applicable to all buds which have 

 remained for prolonged periods undeveloped. In some, per- 

 haps in most, instances they may have been promised growth 

 at some former period, and then neglected and suppressed 

 in the onward growth of the tree. The sap was attracted 

 upwards more powerfully, and the bud left exposed by the 

 fall of its protecting leaf, and, unfed, has dwindled and been 

 covered over by the growing bark. Although, however, 

 covered and suppressed entirely so far as any outward signs 

 either of life or even existence were concerned, the bud was 

 not dead. Under special conditions such buds may manifest 

 their presence unexpectedly. If a large part of the parent 

 tree be destroyed, what remains will bud out at various 

 places, or if some part of the bark be subjected to special 

 forms of irritation, sap may be attracted to the part, and 

 dormant buds will sprout up and may even multiply them- 

 selves by lateral offspring. Such is probably the origin of 

 the " witches' scrubbing brush " so common on oaks. 



As a rule the conifer tribe rarely afford evidences of latent 

 or dormant buds. If you cut a fir tree down the stump dies 

 and does not sprout. Nor do conifers as a rule grow new 

 branches where they have been lopped. In these statements, 



