SOME VEGETABLE MALFORMATIONS. 



3 2 3 



Instead of a leaf-bearing shoot, the axis is extended by the 

 production of another fruit, or branching may take place in an 

 irregular way, and a structure as monstrous as that shown in 

 Fig. 8 results. 



The apple as well as other fruit is not infrequently twinned 

 by the union of two forming buds, as shown in Fig. 9. In others 

 there is less frequently a second row of seed cavities, thus making 

 a " two-storied " fruit, so to speak, as seen in Fig. 10. 



Passing below ground, there are more abnormities to be found 

 than most persons are aware of. The peculiar conditions that 

 attend the subterranean habit favor monstrous growths. Not 

 long ago a cluster of sweet potatoes was brought to me. Some 

 were all red upon the surface, others were all yellow, and some 

 were one half red and the other side yellow. The Irish potato 

 is fertile in its freaks. Seemingly not content with the under- 

 ground situation, potatoes sometimes appear upon the branches 

 among the leaves. Occasionally a potato when planted whole 

 will develop other new and small potatoes beneath the skin and 



Twin Apple. 



Fig-. 10. — Two-storied Apple. 



out of sight, which only calls to mind how a hollow turnip may 

 have its cavity filled with an after-growth of foliage, only to be 

 discovered when the root is cut in two. 



Sometimes the abnormal growths bear a strong resemblance 

 to some other object very far from the one really shown. Thus 

 Fig. 11 shows what might well pass for the human hand, but 

 it is nothing more or less than an ear of corn with the grain 

 removed. Instead of ending in the usual way, it has become 



