364 PROCEEDIXGS OF THE IXDIAN'A ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



thick, but at the height of a meter, it was 21 cm. wdde and only 5 to 8 m.m. 

 thick. 



The upper part of the stem, for 15 or 20 cm., was di^'ided into three thin 

 fiat branches, one of these being still further di^dded at the tip; and, near 

 the base, there were three small, slender branches which were normal in 

 appearance. (See the figure.) 



The whole plant had a perfectly healthy appearance. The stem was 

 densely covered with lea-\-es, those near the edge being Uke the average for the 

 species, and those farther away from the edges being much smaller than 

 normal. 



Covering the tips of the thin flat branches at the top of the plant, were 

 a large number of flower buds — probably more than a thousand. Among 

 these were several flowers and a few j'oung fruits. 



Since fasciation has, in some cases, proved a very profitable characteristic 

 for experimental work, it would be interesting to test the hereditary qualities 

 of such a phenomenal plant, but its seeds were not mature, and the roots 

 are, of course, not expected to live for another flowering season. A searcli 

 will be made for similar plants in the same locahty next year. 



