1 Noy., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 505 
corresponds to each ring, or one year’s growth. The third way is to count the 
spaces between the rows of limbs on a standing tree. This is easily done on the 
spruce, pine, &c. Tt will be observed that some spaces are longer than others; 
corresponding to a thicker growth of the corresponding ring and a longer 
section of the medullary ray. I have a large number of bits of wood, both of 
maple and beech, illustrating these statements. 
So much for the tree’s record of its own age. ‘Trees also indicate their 
locality where grown, whether on a mountain or in a valley; also the colour 
and nature of the soil, amount of sunshine, temperature, moisture, &e. 
Again, trees reveal the points of compass, especially the hemlock, by its 
extreme top leaning to the east. It has often been noticed that the heart of 
some trees is far from the centre, near one side. In such a case, the tree is 
well fed on one side and lacking food on the other. A ledge on one side, and 
fruitful soil on the other, makes the difference, and accounts for the position of 
the heart. 
A. tree also indicates barometric conditions by absorption of moisture 
through the roots, on certain days, and from the atmosphere through the body 
of the tree. It also indicates the days on which they will not absorb. 
So a tree, especially the maple, indicates the difference between a heavy 
and a light atmosphere or when the mercury is high or low in the barometer. 
By a certain experiment I have made with the maple, in the summer, when the 
tree is in leaf, 1 noticed these barometric conditions. 
When the tree is not in leaf, by a few experiments, especially during sap- 
flow, I can not only tell when the tree is in pressure and suction, but I can tell 
the amount, in pounds, to the square inch. 
So we see a tree has a wonderful record of facts, whether we are able to 
read them or not. } 
TEMPERATURE OF TREE TRUNKS. 
SoME instructive observations on the temperature inside tree trunks were 
recently communicated by Mr. R. A. Emerson to the Academy of Sciences, 
Nebraska. When the trunks and limbs of trees are shaded, their temperatures, 
if above that at which water freezes, vary according to the temperature of 
the outside air. Moreover, in the shade, tree temperatures above the freezing 
point of water are higher than the air temperatures when both are falling, and 
lower when both are rising. When exposed to bright sunlight, however, the 
tree temperatures, in circumstances otherwise similar, are higher than the air 
temperature, not only when both temperatures are falling, but are often higher 
also when both are rising. One side of even a small limb may consequently 
have a temperature much higher than the air, and the opposite side a tempera- 
ture lower than the air. 
Animal Pathology. 
MALIGNANT G&DEMA IN CATTLE. 
Tur following interesting and important report, by Mr. J. C. Pound, Director 
of the Stock Institute, to the Chief Inspector of Stock (Mr. P. R. Gordon), has 
been handed to us for publication :— : 
RE MR. HAMMOND’S CATTLE DYING OF MALIGNANT GiDEMA. 
T_ have the honour to report that on the 28rd instant I received a letter 
from Mr, I’, Hammond, of Grandchester, stating that several of his cattle had 
died under peculiar circumstances, and that many others were still exhibiting 
symptoms of sickness. J therefore requested my assistant (Mr. Harris) to visit 
