284 Scliivcly — Contributions to the Life History of 



and the place of its growth seem to exert an influence upon 

 this characteristic. 



COTYLEDONARY BUDS. 



The germination of seeds of Amphicarpcea by Macfar- 

 lane 19 had been interfered with by mice; and the same 

 difficulty confronted the writer. Even the raising of plants 

 out of doors was not without serious draw-backs. More 

 than one plant several inches high was visited by rabbits 

 or by sparrows, which found the fresh green herbage agree- 

 able. The main shoot was often removed close to the 

 ground. Upon examining the plants a few days later, in 

 nearly every specimen several cotyledonary buds had 

 developed and were manifesting apogeotropic tendencies. 

 The number varied from two to five ; they were thick and 

 white. It is not usual for more than two to appear above 

 ground, but occasionally three have been observed. It was 

 found that plants from three to six inches in height that 

 were thus injured sent up within ten days two shoots arising 

 in the manner described. 



These occurrences suggested experiments in which the 

 plant was deliberately injured by cutting off the main stem 

 close to the ground. Many of these experiments were 

 performed with results exactly as given above. A plant 

 fifteen or more inches in height, so treated, either never 

 developed cotyledonary shoots, or else after many weeks 

 one appeared above ground — a tiny feeble thing. 



If four or five cotyledonary buds have developed, and a 

 vigorous shoot resulting from one is then cut off, the 

 immediate result seems to be the formation of two more. 

 For example, one so treated had finally ten buds. 



These experiments were not a success when plants pro- 

 duced from aerial seeds were used. Sufficient vitality 

 seemed to be lacking. 



It is worthy of notice for comparison with statements 

 soon to follow, that these cotyledonary shoots never bear 

 simple leaves, but compound only. They soon begin to 



