Teratological Notes. 
By HERMANN SCHRENK. 
(PLATE 204.) 
In growing a number of seedlings for physiological experi- 
ments, some curious forms of the common bean (Phaseolus vul- 
garts) were found. ‘i 
The first was a case of division of the embryo into two unequal 
halves, which, although they were united, seemed to grow indepen- 
dently. The hypocotyle had been divided, and to each half one 
cotyledon was attached, while the plumule remained entire and was 
joined to one-half of the hypocotyle (Figs. 1 and 2). In germin- , 
ating both halves of the hypocotyle broke through the seed-coats, 
but one of them (r), grew very much faster than the other. The — 
result was that the smaller half with its cotyledon and the plumule 
was pushed above the soil (s. p. h.). When the plant was about ~ 
one inch in height, the smaller hypocotyle produced two thick 
prong-like roots, but several days passed and still the plumule 
showed no signs of activity. The other half meanwhile was grOW” 
ing vigorously, the cotyledon markedly diminished in size, and a 
bud appeared at the union of the hypocotyle with the cotyledon " 
(6. Fig. 2). This increased in size and began to unfold; a smal 
leaf appeared similar in shape to the primordial leaves. Another 
bud was formed, but it was weak and never developed. 
The smaller half had grown very little, the hypocotyle thick- 
ened somewhat, but otherwise no change took place. From this My ; 
would seem that there had been no passage of nutritive material oF — 
water from the part of the plant connected with the soil to the other 
half, in other words, the two parts appeared like separate individ 
uals. After eight days the smaller half showed signs of wilting, 
With a sharp razor the cotyledon (s),the plumule () and hyp? — 
cotyle (#) were cut from the other half of the hypocotyle (7) and . 
were planted in rich soil. The next day the plumule began at 
unfold, the two primordial leaves spread out, but they remat nee 
small and developed no further. The whole died shortly a 
The roots produced by the hypocotyle had no doubt been wen 
