

180 MK. K. IliWIJS^ LTKCH ON THE 



8. A. SACCATA, Baker. — Anisanthus saccatus, Klatt in Linnma^ xxxv. 

 300. C. B. Spei. 



9. A. PANicuLATA, Klatt in Linnceay xxxv. 379. Natalia. 



10. A. INTERMEDIA, BaJcer, C. B, Spei, 



11. A. FUCATA, Baker, — Tritonia fucata. Herb, in Bot. Reg. xxiv. 

 t, 35. C. B. Spei. 



Note on the Disarticulation of Branches. By E. Ikwin Lynch, 



Esq. 



Heq 



[Read April 19, 1877.] 

 (Plate III.) 



The object of the present communication is to bring before the 

 Fellows of the Society a short notice of some striking examples 

 of the disarticulation of branches, which recently have come under 

 my observation. The literature of the subject includes : — a con- 

 tribution by H. von Mohl to the * Botanische Zeitung,' I860 ; 

 ** On the shedding of branches and leaves in Coniferse," by Dr. 

 James Stark, in Trans. Koy. Soc. Edinb. vol. xxvii. ; mention by 

 Frof. Sachs, in his Text-book of Botany (Eugl. trans, p. 446), of 

 the case of Taxodiian distichum^ where the axes bearing the leaves 

 are deciduous ; and the Eeport of the Scientific Committee of the 

 Eoy. Hort. Soc. C G-ard. Chron.' 1877, p. 506), before whom Sir 

 Joseph Hooker exhibited branches of Dammar a rohusta^ illustra- 

 ting their deciduous nature. It has thus been observed of many 

 trees that branches are cast off in an irregular manner ; and this 

 often, I think, arises from the ripening process having ceased at 

 the point where detachment takes place. Vitis macrojpus is a 

 notable instance: only the lower part of the year's growth is 

 ripened, and by far the larger portion falls away with the leaves 

 (see subjoined woodcut). K cirrhosa offers a similar illustration. 

 A specimen at Kew has now two climbing stems ten feet long, the 

 whole of which will apparently be cast off this autumn, with the 

 exception of about three inches, — all above the second and third 

 leaves respectively. 



In Castilloa^ however, the lateral branches are detached at tne 

 point of insertion, regularly from below upwards, apparently from 

 the same cause that determines the fall of a leaf, leaving behind a 

 similar scar (consult figs. 1-6, Plate III.). Nature, in this case, 

 leaves a provision for replacement of. the fallen branch : beside 

 the scar there always exists a dormant bud, which bud is on 



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