71 
by the embryo enveloped in its membrane. In one specimen a 
sound and imperfect drupe grew on the same: stalk. The 
malformed drupes were unnaturally enlarged, elliptically elongated 
and distended at the far end. Some were curved on the long axis. 
They were greenish yellow or yellow, and were unduly soft and 
pulpy. They had the general appearance of small ripe yellow 
plums, and it was this which first attracted attention to them ; 
~ some of the more attenuated forms approximated the lineament of a 
leaf of the shrub. In all the specimens the endocarp was imper- 
_ fectly or scarcely developed ; it was little more than a thin mem- 
brane, more rigid and tenacious than the other parts, and indicated 
by a darker surface. The embryo was very variable in all the 
specimens, and in no instance filled the space within the endocarp ; 
in some instances it was merely a minute body occupying its 
appropriate spot in the ovoid space. The soft pulpy feel was due 
_ to the fluid state of the mesocarp. In one specimen this moisture 
was absent, and mere dry tissue with some chlorophyll represented 
_ the mesocarp ; in this instance the resemblance to the form of a 
leaf was most marked. Some of the Malformed Fruit was left on 
the tree for further observation, and examined after a month’s time. 
_ Sound and unsound fruit had diminished by depredators. A 
_ specimen found was but weakly attached to the stalk, and easily 
separated, leaving a yellowish scar.. The bulk had increased and 
_ was firm. The smooth yellowish outer surface was somewhat 
wrinkled, and had a browner tint. The mesocarp had somewhat . 
increased, the cavity of the endocarp being relatively smaller, and 
_ drier, presenting the shrivelled remains of the embryo at its usual 
_ spot. ‘The membrane of the endocarp was more brittle, and frayed 
lengthwise more easily than in the earlier specimens. The sound 
_ drupes were still green and had increased, and become more resist- 
- ing to touch by increased hardness in the endocarp. The- 
malformation, then, consisted of a retrocession to the leaf-origin of 
the growth, a dropsical state of the mesocarp, a very essential 
_ defect in development of the endocarp, and an associated atrophy 
of the embryo. As to the probable causes, for seldom or never 
A can a single cause be assigned for an altered or diseased condition, 
_ though it is too generally assumed, the changes noticed imply 
irregularity in the distribution of nutriment of the part. This 
_ might result either from loss of energy in the fertilizing power of 
_ the pollen or diminution of supply by local or general weakness in 
_ the power of the shrub. That they were not entirely due to loss 
_ of fructifying power in the pollen is shown by the fact that as 
_ regards size the embryo in some specimens was nearly the same as 
those in drupes of the same shrub that were in a natural condition. 
There was no cause of local or general debility arising from an 
excessive crop, as it was slight, confined to one side of the shrub 
and nowhere crowded ; the malformed fruit too was mostly solitary, 
and no local mischief of the twig bearing the drupe was found. 
The scanty crop and the somewhat depraved vegetative condition 
ef 
ae. 
