_ On any other plant. They were, therefore, S° at 
all its bran 
184 The Botanical Gazette. [May, 
to the same vertical portion of the stem but at regular intervals 
around it like the paddles of a flutter-wheel, but all curving — 
in the same direction after the manner of a turbine wheel — 
Thus, where there were four they stood with each pair oppo _ 
site, as in the accompanying cuts, of which fig. I represents 
a cross-section and fig. 2 a side view. The amount ofcurving — 
varied considerably, and the coil sometimes filled up most ol — 
the interval between the plates giving the object a compact a> _ 
pearance. The ice was white, opaque, and singularly light, 8 _ 
if consisting of congealed froth, but in all cases the ser 
bore horizontal stripes like those of a flag, resulting from 
degrees in the whiteness, varying from alabaster to nearly — 
transparent. These stripes added greatly to the beauty of ’ 
these singular objects. In some cases the inner margin, * — 
stead of being straight was sinuous (fig. 3), giving 4 fluted : 
character to the base of the wing (fig. 4). Many other : 
peculiarities were noted in these evanescent toys, as holding — 
them in our hands we walked along discussing and admiring — 
them; but as they soon vanished and memory is treacherous, — 
I refrain from further details. 4 
But what propriety is there in publishing this purely 
physical phenomenon in a botanical journal? Just hee — 
the chief wonder. There grew in the same situation Some — 
dozén or twenty small herbaceous plants of about the same — 
of cases revealed the fact that they were exclusively confined 
to this species. No sign or semblance of them cou 
observation went, a specific character, and it 15 bar 
that others might be able to confirm or invalidate ts® 
nails a wider one. 
s at least in this latitude, persists 
1. ranches, sear leaves, and empty seed-vesse> 
on its identity is as complete as it was in midsummer 
» Which remained firm everywhere else was 
