NOTES TO PART II.10. We have often preferred the terms kind, breed, family, individual, to genus, species, variety, subvariety, as the former seem less definite. Were nature true to the latter classification as employed by botanists, it would be convenient.11. In those we observed, we considered this last circumstance had a considerable share as a predisposing cause of the attack of the worm. Forests ofPinus sylvestrisare sometimes destroyed by insects under the bark, in cases where it is difficult to decide whether external circumstances, such as a dry warm season, has been promotive of the increase of the insect itself, or has induced some disorder in the plant, rendering the juices more suitable aliment to the worm.12. Some nautical or technical terms have unavoidably crept into this work; we shall not presume to think any explanation necessary: Britannia would blushjusqu’au blanc des yeux, to thetipsof the fingers and toes, did she think it were doubted that any of her sons, not doomed to unceasing mechanical labour, were unacquainted with these.13. It is termed by our professorsSalix fragilis, or Crack Willow, from the small branches breaking easily at the junction of the annual growth—or, perhaps, Crack Willow, from the branches breaking with considerable report; or from the wood, while burning, frequently detonating or crackling, from the expansion of some aërial fluid within the fibres. Though named by their sapiencefragilis, it is not weaker than other large growing willows, but stronger and denser; and, being harder in the small branches, they do not bend, but break when their bark and alburnum is driest, in winter. The timber is superior to that ofSalix alba, or of any other large growing willow we are acquainted with, and is sufficiently pliant and tough.14. Red Canadian pine is generally termedPinus resinosa; but as it is not so resinous as several other kinds, we considerPinus rubra(rubrafrom the colour of stem and also of timber), which is sometimes used, more suitable. The pitch pine of the American United States should bePinus resinosa.15. We think that in mankind the variations of the children of the same parents do not soften entirely—there would seem to be certain types or nuclei both of appearance and temperament around which external and internal character vibrates.16. The Canadian red pine resembles P. sylvestris or Norway pine so much, that it is usually styled Norway pine by the settlers: Though different, it is so nearly allied to P. sylvestris, that we consider the number of sap-growths may be referred to the climate and soil, and not to the kind,—that is, that, were it grown in Britain, if it did not at first, it would in the course of time come to have fewer sap-growths.17. Our common larch, like almost every other kind of tree, consists of numberless varieties, which differ considerably in quickness of growth, ultimate size, and value of timber. This subject has been much neglected. We are, however, on the eve of great improvements in arboriculture; the qualities and habits of varieties are just beginning to be studied. It is also found that the uniformity in each kind of wild growing plants calledspecies, may be broken down by art or culture, and that when once a breach is made, there is almost no limit to disorder; themelethat ensues being nearly incapable of reduction.18. There is yet no sufficient data for the term alpine plant, but with reference to latitude. The influence on vegetables, arising from rarefaction and diminution of pressure of atmosphere, from difference of stimulus of solar ray—when the entire ray of light, heat, and chemical power, though less intense, is radiated fresh, and not much broken or modified by refraction and reflection, and heat communicated more in proportion by radiation than by contact of heated air; or from difference of electric or galvanic or other meteoric impression connected with altitude or ranges of mountains, or with primary rocks or more upright strata, has not been made the subject of research, at least has not been sufficiently investigated by any naturalist.19. When water is stationary, either in the pores of the soil or by itself, if the temperature be not very low, a slight putrefaction generally commences, aided by the dead vegetable or animal matter contained in the soil or the water; and it is only the more robust aquatic vegetables whose juices are not corrupted, from their roots being soaked in this tainted fluid. It would appear, too, that the aqueous part of the atmosphere is also susceptible of the same putrid changes, although in general the putrescency may have commenced before the evaporation. This condition of the aqueous part of the atmosphere is a disposing cause to blight or mildew in vegetables, and remittent, intermittent, and putrid fevers in man. Mill-ponds are notorious both for mildew and agues.20. We have had no experience of larch, excepting very young, growing on chalk and its affinities. We are told there are a few instances where larch has reached 50 years in these calcareous soils, some distance south of London. This merits attention.21. “Oh! the bonny blooming heather.”—“Man has spoken evil things of the sun, of love, and of life.”22. As we held this plan of forming larch knees, and of bending larch, of considerable importance, we some time ago presented it in manuscript, along with some other matter, to the Highland Society of Scotland. Tiring, however, of the delay of examination, perhaps unavoidable in their official departments, and from some improvements occurring to us during the delay, we requested it back. We now present it under this more convenient form to the Society, and hope they will find the examination or perusal of it printed, not quite so impracticable as when in manuscript. It will afford us pleasure to know that this useful Society approves, and that the members who have opportunity are setting about following our directions. We especially recommend to them to probe the roots of their growing larch, and to lay bare those fitted for knees.23. The landlord agriculturist is sufficiently aware of the influence of the baring the upper part of the root of turnip, while the plant is young, in extending the future growth of the bulb, and that a dry situation gives most root in proportion to stem. These are general laws in vegetation. There are few observers who have not remarked the very large size which roots have attained when the trees have originally been planted on dikes, and the dike earth removed, leaving the roots bare. Should any person examine the very great difference of thickness between the upper and lower part, from the heart of a root near the bulb, he will at once discover the influence of exposure to the air and freeness from pressure in promoting the swelling.24. As you ascend the tree the timber deteriorates greatly.
10. We have often preferred the terms kind, breed, family, individual, to genus, species, variety, subvariety, as the former seem less definite. Were nature true to the latter classification as employed by botanists, it would be convenient.
11. In those we observed, we considered this last circumstance had a considerable share as a predisposing cause of the attack of the worm. Forests ofPinus sylvestrisare sometimes destroyed by insects under the bark, in cases where it is difficult to decide whether external circumstances, such as a dry warm season, has been promotive of the increase of the insect itself, or has induced some disorder in the plant, rendering the juices more suitable aliment to the worm.
12. Some nautical or technical terms have unavoidably crept into this work; we shall not presume to think any explanation necessary: Britannia would blushjusqu’au blanc des yeux, to thetipsof the fingers and toes, did she think it were doubted that any of her sons, not doomed to unceasing mechanical labour, were unacquainted with these.
13. It is termed by our professorsSalix fragilis, or Crack Willow, from the small branches breaking easily at the junction of the annual growth—or, perhaps, Crack Willow, from the branches breaking with considerable report; or from the wood, while burning, frequently detonating or crackling, from the expansion of some aërial fluid within the fibres. Though named by their sapiencefragilis, it is not weaker than other large growing willows, but stronger and denser; and, being harder in the small branches, they do not bend, but break when their bark and alburnum is driest, in winter. The timber is superior to that ofSalix alba, or of any other large growing willow we are acquainted with, and is sufficiently pliant and tough.
14. Red Canadian pine is generally termedPinus resinosa; but as it is not so resinous as several other kinds, we considerPinus rubra(rubrafrom the colour of stem and also of timber), which is sometimes used, more suitable. The pitch pine of the American United States should bePinus resinosa.
15. We think that in mankind the variations of the children of the same parents do not soften entirely—there would seem to be certain types or nuclei both of appearance and temperament around which external and internal character vibrates.
16. The Canadian red pine resembles P. sylvestris or Norway pine so much, that it is usually styled Norway pine by the settlers: Though different, it is so nearly allied to P. sylvestris, that we consider the number of sap-growths may be referred to the climate and soil, and not to the kind,—that is, that, were it grown in Britain, if it did not at first, it would in the course of time come to have fewer sap-growths.
17. Our common larch, like almost every other kind of tree, consists of numberless varieties, which differ considerably in quickness of growth, ultimate size, and value of timber. This subject has been much neglected. We are, however, on the eve of great improvements in arboriculture; the qualities and habits of varieties are just beginning to be studied. It is also found that the uniformity in each kind of wild growing plants calledspecies, may be broken down by art or culture, and that when once a breach is made, there is almost no limit to disorder; themelethat ensues being nearly incapable of reduction.
18. There is yet no sufficient data for the term alpine plant, but with reference to latitude. The influence on vegetables, arising from rarefaction and diminution of pressure of atmosphere, from difference of stimulus of solar ray—when the entire ray of light, heat, and chemical power, though less intense, is radiated fresh, and not much broken or modified by refraction and reflection, and heat communicated more in proportion by radiation than by contact of heated air; or from difference of electric or galvanic or other meteoric impression connected with altitude or ranges of mountains, or with primary rocks or more upright strata, has not been made the subject of research, at least has not been sufficiently investigated by any naturalist.
19. When water is stationary, either in the pores of the soil or by itself, if the temperature be not very low, a slight putrefaction generally commences, aided by the dead vegetable or animal matter contained in the soil or the water; and it is only the more robust aquatic vegetables whose juices are not corrupted, from their roots being soaked in this tainted fluid. It would appear, too, that the aqueous part of the atmosphere is also susceptible of the same putrid changes, although in general the putrescency may have commenced before the evaporation. This condition of the aqueous part of the atmosphere is a disposing cause to blight or mildew in vegetables, and remittent, intermittent, and putrid fevers in man. Mill-ponds are notorious both for mildew and agues.
20. We have had no experience of larch, excepting very young, growing on chalk and its affinities. We are told there are a few instances where larch has reached 50 years in these calcareous soils, some distance south of London. This merits attention.
21. “Oh! the bonny blooming heather.”—“Man has spoken evil things of the sun, of love, and of life.”
22. As we held this plan of forming larch knees, and of bending larch, of considerable importance, we some time ago presented it in manuscript, along with some other matter, to the Highland Society of Scotland. Tiring, however, of the delay of examination, perhaps unavoidable in their official departments, and from some improvements occurring to us during the delay, we requested it back. We now present it under this more convenient form to the Society, and hope they will find the examination or perusal of it printed, not quite so impracticable as when in manuscript. It will afford us pleasure to know that this useful Society approves, and that the members who have opportunity are setting about following our directions. We especially recommend to them to probe the roots of their growing larch, and to lay bare those fitted for knees.
23. The landlord agriculturist is sufficiently aware of the influence of the baring the upper part of the root of turnip, while the plant is young, in extending the future growth of the bulb, and that a dry situation gives most root in proportion to stem. These are general laws in vegetation. There are few observers who have not remarked the very large size which roots have attained when the trees have originally been planted on dikes, and the dike earth removed, leaving the roots bare. Should any person examine the very great difference of thickness between the upper and lower part, from the heart of a root near the bulb, he will at once discover the influence of exposure to the air and freeness from pressure in promoting the swelling.
24. As you ascend the tree the timber deteriorates greatly.