356 Schively — Contributions to the Life History of 



These statements were proved by attempting to grow out 

 of doors, for more careful observation, single plants in pots 

 or in soil, so arranged that they were separated by quite a 

 distance. Even a slight breeze interfered with the attempts 

 of the stem to continue its normal habit of growth ; 

 stronger winds uncoiled it for some distance, frequently 

 snapping it in two, and so injuring the plant that it lay 

 upon the ground. 



The number of types of flower produced, depends largely 

 upon the character of the natural conditions to which the 

 plants may be subjected. 



As it is possible to raise from seed such different speci- 

 mens of Amphicarpcea, the question arises, How many dis- 

 tinct species of the genus should be recognized for the 

 Eastern United States? 



The Manuals mention A. monoica, sannentosa and Pitcheri. 

 The first two certainly seem to be but varieties, resulting 

 from environmental conditions. This appears to the writer 

 to be proved by the study of plants in the greenhouse, 

 Botanic Garden, and several natural localities. 



Twining plants of A. monoica from Wissahickon differ in 

 no apparent respect from herbarium specimens of A. 

 Pitcheri ; for large, healthy leaves, a dense growth of fer- 

 ruginous hairs, and heavily-flowered racemes described for 

 the latter are likewise borne upon the individuals of the 

 former found in the above locality. Gray states that it 

 is not known whether A. Pitcheri produces underground 

 legumes or not. I have also received from F. Reppert, of 

 Muscatine, Iowa, plants of these species. While sufficient 

 examination of them has not yet been made, the state- 

 ment by Gray, that has just been referred to, may be said 

 to be incorrect, for the cotyledonary shoots have been 

 seen in fresh material, and also underground pods in the 

 herbarium specimens. Nothing definite can be yet reported 

 concerning aerial flowers. 



I consider, from observations that have been made, that 

 A. Pitcheri is an extremely vigorous A. monoica ; while A. 

 sarmentosa represents the poorly nourished type. 



