Observations on depriving Flowers of their Anthers. 45 



and limbs began to point upwards, and at the same instant of time 

 they were crushed, and ran together, which gave the appearance of 

 a mock body, by which the trunk seemed to be extended ; but im- 

 mediately the trunk was twisted from the stump, leaving about ten 

 feet above ground, when with a quickness, that the eye could not 

 follow, all ran through the throat of the vortex, and was thrown out 

 to float with others in the regions above. 



There was remaining of the stone chimney, about one foot above 

 ground, and not one of the stones removed was to be seen. Wheth- 

 er they were carried up in the vortex and thrown out by the circular 

 impetus of the air, and deposited beyond the reach of observation, 

 we were unable to determine. The water and mud of the lake 

 were deposited on the field which contained the wheat, and from 

 thence to the wood land beyond the prairie in the direction of the 

 tornado, was about three miles; on which land, there were to be 

 found only the bodies of two of the horses and five or six of the 

 catde. This mighty wreck was seen to pass to the north-west of 

 St. Louis, more than twenty miles above the plantation. 



Art. IX. — Obsei-vations on depriving Floivers of their Anthers, to 

 produce Double Floivers; by E. T. Leitner.* 



Some years ago. Dr. Messer, of Cabo, (kingdom ofWuertemberg,) 

 published a small book, entitled " Art of raising double Gillyflowers, 

 Neustadt at the Orla, 1828;" in which he shows how to deprive un- 

 folded flowers of their anthers to prevent fructification, and that seeds 



* Perhaps we cannot, in any better manner, introduce a respectable young stran- 

 ger to tlie American public, than by giving publicity to the following letter of Dr. 

 Leitner to the Editor: its frankness and integrity are not less observable than the 

 intelligence and zeal which it indicates. — EcT. 



Charleston, July 14, 1832. 



Dear Sir — Since your Journal has fallen into my hands, I have felt a great desire 

 to become better acquainted with you ; I therefore take the liberty to address this 

 letter to you. I hope you will excuse my inaccuracies in writing; particularly, as 

 I have been but a short time in this country. From early youth, I have felt a great 

 inclination for natural history, and when, having arrived at riper age, I saw my 

 sphere in my native land (Germany) too narrow, then a thought arose in my mind 

 to visit and explore this interesting country, in hope that I might, perhaps, contri- 

 bute, by and by, something to the knowledge and science of natural history. After 

 visiting the College in Tubingen and enlarging my knowledge, I left my native 

 home, to bid it perhaps the last farewell, and embarking from Havre de Grace, I 



