( 8 3 ) 



stem. In consequence, the plant was mistaken by Linnaeus 

 for a terrestrial parasite and named by him Viscum terrestre. 

 During seasons with well distributed rainfall, and fairly 

 equable temperature, such as that of 1900, the specimens 

 growing in the open meadows in the New York Botanical 

 Garden produced only a few small bulbils, and rather dense 

 racemes of flowers followed by a full crop of seeds. If a 



Fig. 3. Cross section of portion of branch of Ly&imackia terrestris. A, in- 

 tercellular spaces. B, xylem. C, sclerenchyma. D, glandular ducts, E, cam- 

 bium. 



drouth ensues during the early period of development of the 

 flower bud and extension of the branches, however, the growth 

 of the former is checked and the latter are converted into 

 bulbils. In many instances all of the branches are converted 

 into bulbils, which remain attached to the main stem after 

 the leaves have withered and fallen off. This effect may be 

 produced if the plant is grown in diffuse light or in green- 

 houses showing low night temperatures. An example of the 

 latter is shown in Plate 13, Fig. B. 



The bulbils remain attached to the stems until about the 

 time of the autumnal leaf casting. After they fall to the 

 ground their tapering outlines facilitates their descent in the 

 upper layer of fallen leaves, and looser layer of soil so that a 

 large number of them soon reach a position below danger 

 from frost. This habit is slightly altered when they drop in 



