60 PHILOSOPHICAL TKANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1/24. 



of 4 or 5 rods; and particularly in one place, where there was a broad ditch of 

 water between them. Some of our people, but especially the aborigines, 

 have been of opinion, that this commixtion, and interchange, was owing to 

 the roots, and small fibres reaching to and communicating with one another; 

 but this must certainly be a mistake, considering the great distance of the com- 

 munication, especially at some times, and cross a canal of water; for the 

 smallest fibres of the roots of the Indian corn cannot extend above 4 or 5 

 feet. Mr. D. is therefore of opinion that the stamina, or principles of this 

 wonderful copulation, or mixing of colours, are carried through the air by the 

 wind; and that the time or season of it, is when the corn is in the earing, and 

 while the milk, is in the grain for at that time, the corn is in a sort of estua- 

 tion, and emits a strong scent. One thing which confirms the air's being 

 the medium of this communication of colours in the corn, is an observation, 

 that a close, high board fence, between two fields of corn that were of a dif- 

 ferent colour, entirely prevented any mixture or alteration of colour, from 

 that they were planted near. 



An apple tree in the town bears a considerable quantity of apples, especially 

 every other year, which never had a blossom:* for three years he went in the 

 proper season, to observe it ; and when all the rest of the orchard was in the 

 bloom, this tree had not one blossom. Not content with once going, he went 

 repeatedly, till he found the young apples perfectly formed. In 1723 he went 

 early, not knowing but that it might blow sooner than the other trees, but 

 found no blossoms; and the owner, with many ot his neighbours, assured him, 

 they have known the tree these 40 years, and that it never had a blossom. 

 Mr. D. opened several of the apples, and observed but very few seeds in them ; 

 and some of them lodged single in the side of the apple. The tree was no 

 graft, and the fruit but ordinary for taste. He could not perceive, by his ob- 

 servation, but that in all other respects it fructified like other apple trees. 



I would just mention, what is frequently observed in our gardens, as to the 

 winding or running vines, more especially the hop, and the French or kidney 

 beans ; how contrary they are to each other in their climbing, and yet how 

 steadily they observe their own laws: the hop vine winding about the pole with 

 the sun, and the bean against the sun; and this course they keep with such 

 obstinacy, that though an attempt has been made, over night, to force the 

 hop vine to wind against the sun; yet in the morning it has got back again to 

 its natural course; and the bean again has done the same in her way. In like 



• The flowers of this tree were cleslitute of petals, but possessed every other essential organ, 

 and were consequently fruitfid. 



