Observations on the Structure and Develop- 
ment of Epiphegus Virginiana*® 
(FROM PLATES XXIX-XXXI1) 
By EtHet Cooke, B.S., AND ADELINE F. ScHIVELY, Pu. D. 
Epiphegus Virgimana is a parasitic plant of Eastern 
America, to which frequent reference has been made in 
descriptive botanical works. It was first described by Lin- 
nzus in 1753, under the name Orobanche Virgimiana. Later 
it was described under varying names, Epiphegus, Leptam- 
nion, etc., by Nuttall, Rafinesque and others. No exact 
detailed comparative study of the plant was made until 
1894, when Dr. Herman Schrenk published a paper entitled 
“Parasitism of Epiphegus Virginiana,”’ in the Proceedings 
of the American Microscopical Society. 
Epiphegus Virgimana (Plate XXIX), commonly known 
as“‘Beech-drops,” is a member of the dicotyledonous family 
Orobanchacez, allied by Warming to the Gesneraceze, 
though the order is undoubtedly very close to the Scrophu- 
lariaceze. It is parasitic on the roots of our common beech- 
tree, Fagus Americana. As a result of this parasitism, it 
has become extremely reduced and degraded. The mature 
plant is scarcely more than a mere inflorescence. Epiphegus 
illustrates well that general law of plant and animal para- 
sitism, that reproduction becomes the chief function of the 
organism. 
* The above study was begun, and material in part collected, by Dr. 
Macfarlane in the summer of 1895. The work was continued by the 
second-named of the writers, but want of leisure prevented the investi- 
gation of microscopic details. At Dr. Macfarlane’s suggestion the first- 
named of us undertook this, and brought it to the present stage of 
completion.—E. C. and A. F. S. 
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