An anomalous structure on the leaf of a bean seedling 
W.T.Horng 
A number of red Valentine beans were placed in the soil of 
Some pots in the physiological laboratory of the New York Bo- 
tanical Garden on September 12, 1903, and the preparations were 
covered with bell-jars. The seedlings which soon arose were 
somewhat drawn, being grown under a high temperature and in a 
relatively highly humid atmosphere. 
When the bell-jars were removed a structure which was appar- 
ently a root was noticed on one of the plants 
just below the cotyledons, On the same 
plant an apparently similar organ but some- 
what smaller was noticed on the back of 
one of the leaves, appressed to the midvein. 
The bell-jar was replaced to prevent in- 
jury to the unusual structures by drying. 
Ficure 1 shows the plant one week from 
Planting the seed, the root-like structures 
ata and 4. Both were without chlorophyl 
and had the appearance of strong root-tips, 
the upper being more slender toward the 
tip. 
FicuURE 1. Bean seed- 
After being kept for another week ling, showing ae 
neither had apparently made farther growth ee or 
and the lower was turning brown at the tip. 
It was removed, fixed in Flemming’s fluid and imbedded in par- 
affine. Longitudinal sections showed that it had a root-cap and the 
arrangement of tissues characteristic of a true root. It had bent 
strongly away from the light and downward. 
The other structure was left for a week longer, when, as it showed 
NO sign of changing further and the plant under the bell-jar was be- 
Coming unhealthy, the whole leaf was cut off and examined. The 
Mmidvein was cut in pieces, fixed in Flemming’s fluid and imbedded 
in paraffine, The free part of the root-like organ was about 5 mm. 
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