212 H. M. Neisler on the fructification of Arachis hypogea. 
Art. XX.—Observations on the fructification of the Arachis 
hypogea ; by Hueu M. Netster, Columbus, Geo. 
In studying our Stylosanthes a few years ago, my attention was 
attracted by a note in Torrey and Gray’s Flora of North America, 
ol. i, p. 354. viz., “Mr. Bentham in a paper on the affinities of 
Arachis, read before the Linnzean Society in 1838, gives an account 
of the two kinds of flowers in Stylosanthes, and shows its affinity 
to Arachis, which he considers a genuine Hedysarea.” I presumed 
that he supposed the Arachis to have two kinds of flowers, but, 
wishing to inform myself accurately as to his views, I mentione 
_ the subject to Dr. Torrey in the course of our correspondence, 
who remarked in reply; “Mr. Bentham says, that Arachis has 
two kinds of flowers. Those that have all the parts, do not per- 
fect their fruit, the ovary never ripens. The fructiferous flowers, 
have neither calyx, corolla, nor stamens, but consist at first of a 
ers, which I at first (supposing Mr. Bentham’s views of course 
be correct) regarded as barren. But after close and repeated ex- 
aminations, to my surprise, I found them in all respects perfect, 
and what at first sight I had thought a long peduncle which 
withered with the flower, proved to be a slender, tubular calyz, 
through which there was no difficulty in tracing the style to 4 
minute conical germ, situated between two bracteoles—and 10 
all respects identical with those in the axils below. And after 
examining a few plants, I succeeded in finding germs elongated 
to two or three inches with the marcescent calyx and corolla still 
adhering to their points, and stimulated into growth beyond @ 
doubt by the perfect and fertilized ova. Younger plants just get- 
ting into bloom showed petal-bearing flowers in the lowest axils 
a =.= 
