j6 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



Cuphea _ platycentra (Cigar or Match Plant) shows splendid 

 glandular trichomes. 



Coleus harlequin shows collenchyma nicely. 



Tradescanlia, sp? (Wad&ering Jew) has remarkably regular 



epidermis on the upper surface of the leaves. In horizontal section 

 it appears made up of almost exactly hexagonal cells. Very long- 

 slender trichomes at the nodes. 



Pilea pilosa (Artillery plant) was one of the most interesting 

 plants examined. The motion of the protoplasm carrying chlo- 

 rophyll grains can be easily seen in the parenchyma of the primary 

 cortex. Cystoliths, as in its wild congener, P. pumila are of ex- 

 traordinary size and number, thirteen being counted in a cross-sec- 

 tion of a small branch. They are everywhere, leaves and stems 

 being full of them! The epidermal cells' of the leaves are also ex- 

 tremely large. 



Begonia semperflorens will compare favorably with the pump- 

 kin for a "general purpose'" plant. The epidermis is composed of 

 large cells; the collenchyma is beautifully regular; the tracheary 

 tissue is represented by spiral, angular, annular, scalariform and 

 pitted vessels, many of the latter exhibiting the "crossed" pits; the 

 lenticils show a peculiar development of cork; the starch grains 

 are large and both simple and compound crystals are present (Vide 

 Bot. Gaz. VII, 12). Finally the stomata occur in groups of 6-14 

 and show plainly the successive segmentation of the original epi- 

 dermal cells to form the mother-ceil of the stoma. 



There is but one objection to the Begonia for general labora- 

 tory use and that can be easily overcome. It must be grown es- 

 pecially for the purpose, while any corn-field almost will furnish the 

 standard pumpkin. The ease and rapidity with which it can be 

 grown from cuttings will almost invalidate tiiis objection, and this 

 species seems to be more compact and easily handled than any 

 other. The Begonia has several points of superiority over the 

 < 'ucurbitacew, chiefly in the structure of the fibro-vascular bundle, 

 which is much simpler and easier of comprehension by the average 

 student. Trichomes (except on the root) are absent from this 

 species. This plant in connection with those already in wide use, 

 will be found of very considerable value in laboratory work. — Chas. 

 K. Batotes. LaFayette, Tnd. 



A Large Red-bud. — I found growing on the hill-side near my 

 house a specimen of the LJed-bud. Cercis Canadensis, which was 

 about 14 inches in diameter at a point 10 inches above the ground. 

 The trunk was well-formed throughout and free from from swell- 

 ings or knots. — 0. M. Meyncke, Brookvitte. Ind. 



