Many theories have been formed to account for the ascent of sap in high trees, when root pressure is not acting. All have been found, on careful examination, unsatisfactory. Our attention was particularly directed to the problem as we were together in Bonn, in the Summer of 1893, when Professor E. Strasburger was kind enough to show us some of his experiments on the question, and since then we have, at intervals, occupied ourselves with some considerations as to the cause of the ascent of liquids in trees. It was not, however, till late last Spring that we had leisure to enter definitely on the research. We wish to acknowledge the kindness of Professor E. Perceval Wright in giving us the benefit of his advice on all occasions, and also the advantage we derived from Professor G. F. FitzGerald’s suggestive ideas.