182 '"^ The Pi^ant World. 



r 



ccf>hala, specimens of which later were found by Clos, * though 

 in this instance the plant bore both normal and abnormal capi- 

 tula. A similar abnormality has been described for Ct7Uau- 

 rea Icpidophylla. t It is not infrequent in both Plantago 

 major and P. lanceolata [vars. polystachya) and also has been 

 reported for Armeria planiaginea. * * In the appendix to his 

 ' ' De Antholvsi Prodromus ' ' Engelmann describes the same 

 thing for Hieracinm, Pyrethrum and (\)reopsis. An answer to 

 the ciuestion whether such a deviation could be inherited, 

 involved the collection of seed and, since the plant was in an 

 exposed position, its immediate transplantation to the experi- 

 ment garden. Notwithstanding the care used in this operation 

 the plant failed to re-establish itself and the flower had to be 

 collected to make an alcohol specimen. It was a source of 

 great satisfaction therefore, when, a week of so later, on another 

 street, there was found growing upon a sloping bank, and in 

 a position which precluded the ])robabilitv of mechanical in- 

 jury, another plant which showed two instances of the same 

 abnormality. ^Mechanical injury might be supposed to have 

 existed in the preceding instance. It is an important 



consideration, for there is undoubtedlv a connection between 

 mechanical injury and fasciation. 1 have noted during 



the last two years that the percentage of fasciated 

 fiowerstalks of Taraxucn))i, when growing along a street, 

 appears to be greater in close jiroximitv to the sidewalk 

 than at some distance from it. In a single instance, when 

 a large number of fasciations were found three feet from 

 the sidewalk, i. c, where I had been led to expect none or few, 

 and on the contrary found a large number within a circle of a 

 diameter of three feet, we were able to explain this apparent 

 deviation from the rule by the fact that this particular spot 

 was frequently trampled by the children of the neighborhood 

 during their play.1t In an earlier' paper attention was called 

 to the fact that fasciations may Ije accompanied by other ab- 



*Clos, D.. Recherohes sur Tiiiv olucre dcs Sniaiitlierees Aun. So nat 3. Ser 16 •' 

 40. 1851. 



tCassat, E.. et J. Ueyssoii. Coiitribulion a I'etuiie des phfenomeiies de Teratologic 

 vcgetale. Bull. Assoc. Franc. Hot. 3: 81) 1900. 



* *Howles. Armeria plaiitaginea foliaceous. Card. Chron. Ser. 3. 30: 421. 1091. 



t tThis may have been a mere coincidence for there are not lacking observations show- 

 ing nitmerous fasciations in places which probably never were disturbed by man or animal 

 aiid where other txi^lanalions, iucluding inheritance are in order. It is hoped systematic 

 experiments to settle tliis point may be undertaken in the near future. 



