Amphicarpaa monoica. 



The stem is herbaceous, but often becomes very woody 

 toward the end of the season's growth. It is usually green, 

 though often it may be quite purple. Iu habit, the plant 

 is a twiner, but in the manifestation of twining, great differ- 

 ences are observed. A vigorous plant will ascend rapidly 

 to the top of any weed, whose firm stem oilers a sufficient 

 support. If no such sturdy neighbors are near, several 

 plants m ty twine around eacli other, forming a thick coil, 

 which for a long time may assume a procumbent position. 

 So delicate is Amphicarpcea^ and the stem so weak, that 

 the protection of other plants seems a necessity. In at- 

 tempting to grow specimens out of doors, either in the 

 ground or in pots, it was noticed that they suffered mark- 

 edly from even slight winds. Though provided with a 

 stick, the twinings were uncoiled; finally shoots and even 

 leaves were injured. 



Legumes and Seeds. 



Legumes are produced both above and below ground. 

 A description of these and of the seeds is essential to assist 

 in explaining the accounts of germination. 



Terrestrial legumes vary much in size, shape and thick- 

 ness. They are ellipsoidal, much flattened laterally, and 

 might best be described as irregularly pyriform. Mature 

 specimens are on the average three-quarters of an inch in 

 length, and about three-eighths of an inch in thickness. 

 They vary greatly, measuring, however, from a half inch to 

 occasionally an inch in length. (Plate XIX.) 



There is considerable diversity in color. Some are pale, 

 others are rich pink-purple, and still others are dark purple 

 or reddish brown. It is suspected that the character of the 

 soil exerts an influence in this respect. Those found in a 

 very moist locality are usually darker than those found in a 

 dry situation. 



The entire surface of the legume is very hairy. For a 

 long time the calyx persists (Plate XX., Fig. i), but in the 

 larger and older legumes, it is scarcely discernible. It is 



