BOTANIZING IN THE LA PLATA MOUNTAINS. 2g 



average growth of these three inches was .90 inch or nearly one-third 

 of the original length of this portion of the stem. 



In another trial two stems elongated from 10 inches to 12.85 inches 

 and 12.10 inches respectively in three days. One stem gave 11. 10 

 inches for the upper eight inches in t^6 hours, and 11.35 inches in 48 

 hours. 



ELONGATION OF PETIOLES. 



Some of the petioles of Burdock leaves cut to fifteen inches long 

 and placed upright in jars of water elongated on an average four-tenths 

 of an inch in eighteen hours. One cut to four inches in the same time 

 reached 4.20 inches; one six inches long to 6.30 inches; one seven to 

 7.35 inches, and one eight to 8.35 inches. This growth was in the 

 lower middle of the petiole. 



The veins of the blade of some Burdock leaves were also marked 

 with the India ink, and it was found that they grew after being cut; 

 but the increase was greatest in the region of the " geographical cen- 

 ter " of the leaf — that is, lower middle of the main rib. 



Young Rhubarb petioles cut to four inches elongated to 4. 15 inches 

 in the first twenty-four hours. Whole leaves marked upon the veins 

 and placed with base of petiole in water elongated somewhat in the 

 mid rib. This was greatest in the central portion, where the leaf is 

 broadest, some of the inch spaces there extending an eighth of an inch. 



There is probably very little of economic value attached to the 

 results obtained, other than the emphasizing of the practice on the 

 part of some green grocers of keeping the asparagus bunches, for 

 example, with the cut end in a tray of water. Besides keeping the 

 vegetable fresh for a considerable time, they have doubtless observed 

 that their stock thereby grew somewhat upon their hands. 



Rutgers College, August, 1898. 



BOTANIZING IN THE LaPLATA MOUNTAINS. 



By C. F. Baker. 



SOUTHWESTERN Colorado is shut off from the rest of the State 

 by what is perhaps the most mountainous portion of that State. 

 It is not to be equaled in ruggedness and includes a larger 

 area of above-timber country, than any other equal portion of 

 Colorado. The LaPlata Mountains stand out, somewhat detached 

 from the main ranges of the San Miguel on one side, and the San 

 Juan on the other. 



Botanical collections from this region have always been of the 

 greatest interest. Besides the earlier explorers and others later, 



