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As the growth of the gynophore is solely for the purpose of 
pushing the ovary into the soil, its length is determined entirely 
by the distance of the flower from the ground. The gynophores 
in the axils of the lower leaves are much shorter than those above, 
as they reach the ground sooner; for the same reason the gyno- 
phores on the more d bent branches are shorter than those on 
the more erect. Gynophores bearing fruit have been seen as short 
as five millimeters; they vary from that length to fifteen or sixteen 
centimeters, according to their position on the branch and the posi- 
tion of the branch in relation to the ground. That the only con- 
dition regulating the length of the gynophore is the distance of 
the ovary from the ground, was illustrated by the following fact: 
One of the plants in a row was entirely removed, together with 
a portion of the earth about the roots, leaving a hole somewhat 
more than a foot in depth. A gynophore of a neighboring plant 
had grown. down to the ground at this place and already attained 
a maximum length. As the ground around it was taken away, it 
was found after several days still growing down into the darkness 
and seeking the soil. 
The angle which the gynophore forms with the stem is deter- 
mined by the position of the stem. Accordingly it varies from 
a right to an acute angle, as the stem runs parallel with the 
ground or is inclined to an upright position. 
The hairs are formed as soon as the gynophore reaches the 
soil, as all of the underground portion is thickened and bears hairs. 
The growth of the gynophore under ground before the fruit 
begins to form also varies considerably. In a case where three 
gynophores developed from one axil, the underground portion of 
the oldest was 24 mm. long, the next 30 mm. and the next 55 
mm. This represents the usual relation. 
Flowers have been observed on the subterranean portion of 
the stem. These were perfect and, with the exception of being 
etiolated, similar in all respects to those above ground. They 
Without doubt produce fruit, as gynophores were also observed 
Which had developed entirely under the ground. This fact, to- 
gether with the one that the parts of the flower fall off almost as 
Soon as they open, gives evidence that the flower is close fertilized. 
In the course of its growth the gynophore grows as nearly per- 
