234 



MEMOIRS OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN 



As a test of our ability to determine the characteristics con- 

 sistently, we classified two lots of seedlings which should within 

 the limits of the probable error of random sampling be the same 

 except for differences due to age. One of these is designated as 

 more mature series and the other as the less mature series. The 

 closeness of agreement between the constants for these two series 

 should furnish some measure of the accuracy with which the plants 

 can be classified. The results of these determinations are given 

 in the tables below. 



Axis 



The axis may be either round and slender throughout or con- 

 siderably broadened or even divided. 



Four classes, designated by Roman numerals, have been recog- 

 nized : 



I. Normal; terete, simple and slender throughout. 



II. Epicotyl or sometimes both epicotyl and hypocotyl slightly 

 broadened or fasciated. 



III. Epicotyl or both epicotyl and hypocotyl much broadened 

 or fasciated. 



VI. Division of the epicotyl JQto two or more branches . This 

 refers exclusively to divisions occurring below primordial leaves, 

 not to the formation of two terminal buds beyond them, since it was 

 not always possible to make out this point. 



In the classification of the stem much trouble was given by 

 axillary shoots from the cotyledons. Because of the scatter of the 

 cotyledons and the occasional occurrence of leaves interspersed 

 among the cotyledons, it was not always possible to decide whether 

 an apparently branched axis represented a true_dichotomy or the 

 development of axillary buds. 



With respect to this character the individuals in the series are 

 distributed as follows: 



' The terms used arc explained in greater detail in the text. 



