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SEPTEMBER, 1876. 



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Plantago lanceolata, L. — I have been watching, for some weeks past, a 

 phmt of common Ribwort, {PlanUujo lanceolata, L. whicli has interested me very 

 mueli. Tlie styles made their appearance, as is the habit of this genus, and seem- 

 ed to be quite long for the species. After a time tliey began to bend down so that 

 tlie stigma entered the tube of the corolla, and soon the whole style was coiled up 

 in tlie corolla tube, remaining there for a day or more, in some instances, when it 

 resumed its erect position. I then commenced to Avatch for the appearance of the. 

 stamens, but none made their appearance. As this seemed singular, 1 made close 

 examination of the blossoms, to find stamens or anthei'S, for I could not imagine 

 wh}' the styles bent down into the corolla unless there were anthers present. But 

 though I examined scores I failed to detect anj' sign of stamen or anther, except 

 in a few instances a ligulate appendage was found in the place of the stamen, per- 

 haps it might be considered a petaloid filament, but not the least sign of an anther 

 was to be found. 



Some of the spikes are quite well fertilized, which is not strange, some only 

 partially so, and on some there is only one fertile ovary. This singular behavior 

 of the styles has been in operation for weeks, going on in succession from the base 

 to the summit of the spikes, so that very frequently on the same spike may be seen 

 the coiled styles, below them those that have been coiled up but have become 

 straight again, above them those that are developing, making, on the whole, a sin- 

 gular spectacle. Now what principle of instinct, or ''natural selection" operated 

 here? For evidently tlie stigmas were seeking nfter something that had not been 

 supplied in the ordinary manner. I have watched many other plants of this 

 species but none others have been found sliowing such variations, or any out of 

 the usual line of development. 



Have found a large number of spikes of the common plantain with leaves on 

 the scape just below the flowers, many with branches as well as leaves, and quite 

 a number wit'i double spikes. In some specimens the spikes were vei-y much di- 

 vided, having as many as eight or ten branches. — N. Coleman, Bloomjield, Conn. 



A Remarkable Cheury Tkee.— Mr. Wm. Ellis, of Gilead, Tolland Co., in this 

 State, has a most remarkable cherry tree on his place. The tree is about ten inches 

 in diameter, quite thrifty, and has for several years in succession borne two kinds 

 of cherries, both choice fruit, one a light colored early cherry, the other a dark 

 cherrjr that does not ripen till some time after the others are gone. The later kind 

 does not blossom till some time after the others, and what seems a singular feature 

 of this most singular freak of nature, the clusters of buds come out right by the 

 side of the green cherries, and this is not confined to one branch or to one side of 

 the tree, but is on all the branches all over the tree. Can not state the variety of 

 the original stock, but am told great pains were taken in the grafting. If such a 

 thing were possible one might imagine it the old stock asserting its rights through 

 the new one's branches. Can you give any explanation of the phenomenon, or 

 do you know of any like example? — N. Coleman. 



All communications addressed to JohizM. Coulter, Hanover, Ind. 

 Terms:— SabscHption $1.00 a year. Single Numbers 10 cents. 



