CTI. IT. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



129 



the frost does come ; they should then be cut imrne- 

 diately. This not only gives the last chance for the 

 ripening of the roots, but if the plants are cut earlier 

 they are very liable to break out, and then suffer from 

 frost. 



But, perhaps, the strongest proof of a winter circu- 

 lation of sap is, that if boughs of evergreens are cut in 

 the winter, and suspended to the boughs among which 

 they grew, they die, while all remains green around 

 them. Why is this, but because their brethren are 

 supplied with sap from the parent root, while they are 

 cut off from it ? Yet, according to Liebig, branches in 

 leaf should not only support themselves, but feed the 

 tree which bears them through the hot months of con- 

 tinental summers. So far from this, however, being the 

 case, they cannot even support themselves in the moist 

 atmosphere of an English winter. 



The laurel is among the latest in fading. In about 

 three weeks, however, its leaves may be seen to turn 

 paler, and may be felt less leather-like and more thin 

 and paper-like. The dead leaves will then constantly 

 play the second act of Gideon's fleece ; that is, they 

 will be found dry when their surrounding living sister 

 leaves are condensing and bedewed to the utmost on 

 both sides of each leaf. If the experiment is tried in 

 an east wind and a clear sky, about the end of Feb 

 ruary or beginning of March, the fading and drying 

 will be much more rapid ; still more rapid in a room 

 with a fire. Nunium breves are the branches then, as 



K 



