88 



BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



Prolonged Vitality of Seeds.— An interesting case of the 

 germination of seeds of the wild crab-apple (Pirns coronaria) after 

 lying dormant twenty-three years recently came to my notice. In 

 1859 Dr. J. W. Smith of this place built a frame barn about thirty 

 feet from his dwelling, the foundation of which was a low wall of 

 limestone laid upon the garden soil. In April of the present 

 year the barn was removed, and twenty clays afterward the founda- 

 tion also. As the Doctor pried up a bottom stone about twenty 

 inches across, two small plants respectively an inch and an inch 

 and a half high straightened themselves into an erect position. 

 They were near the center of the stone and some three inches 

 apart. A number of persons carefully examined them besides the 

 Doctor. There seems to be no doubt that the seeds had been pro- 

 tected by the building for this long period, and that when it was re- 

 moved sufficient warmth and moisture had penetrated beneath the 

 foundation wall to cause them to grow. — J. C. Aethur, Charles 

 City, Iowa. 



Curious Growth on (xleditsehia triacanthos — Prof. P. L. 

 Harvey, of the Arkansas Industrial University, sends the accom- 

 panying figure to illustrate a growth on our honey locust in which 



he points out a strong resemblance to an animal standing erect up- 

 on thorns, and bearing an armed snout. He mentions t-wo smah 

 prominences standing in position and of a nature to represent eyes. 

 The narrowed end was the point of attachment to the tree. 1 here 

 are nine thorns on the front side (two are not shown, being behind 

 a large thorn) and ten on the reverse, only four being shown m 

 part. This monstrosity is curious and of course interesting enough 

 to be recorded. 



