370 General Notes. [June, 
ApLecTRUM WITH CoRAL-LIKE Root.— Early in April, 1876, in 
transplanting some Aplectrum hyemale Nutt., from the woods northwest 
of Detroit, I found two adjoining plants of this species having branched 
and toothed coral-like roots, similar to those of Corallorhiza, immedi- 
ately beneath the usual bulb or corm, which was also provided with the 
ordinary rootlets. Each plant had the green leaf which the species sends 
upin autumn. A close examination of forty-three additional plants from 
the same woods failed to discover another instance of this interesting and 
significant peculiarity. I have transplanted from this place, at various 
seasons, during eleven years over one hundred specimens of this plant ; 
but never before found a case like the above-described. The coral-like 
roots seemed parasitic on the partly decayed bark of a tree-root, and the 
whole was imbedded in ice, the frost still being in the ground. The ab- 
sence of the coral-like root has been made a generic distinction separating 
Aplectrum from Corallorhiza. 
I have sent the specimens to Professor Gray, who previously had 
never seen nor heard of this “unexpected fact.” I request of botanists 
throughout the parts of the country where this plant is found, to search 
for the peculiarity, that we may learn whether it exists elsewhere, and 
to what extent; though, from my own experience, I think it likely to 
prove most exceptional. — Henry GILLMAN, Detroit, Michigan. 
RESEARCHES IN REGARD TO Growru. — The method pursued by 
Reinke appears to be a modification of that employed in the laboratory 
at Wiirzburg, and for which he does not give the credit due. The im- 
provement in the apparatus seems to be a real one. A balanced and 
therefore tight thread goes from the growing plant over a wheel, which 
by index and multiplier enables the observer to watch and record the 
growth. A microscope of long focus is used to read the vernier. A 
notice of the results obtained by the use of this apparatus must be de- 
ferred. ; 
RuYNCHOSPORA CAPILLACEA VAR. LEVISETA. — This is named and 
was discovered by the Rev. E. G. Hill, and is characterized by having 
the perianth bristles perfectly smooth, while in the ordinary form they are 
downwardly denticulate-roughened. Except in this remarkable partic- 
ular the plant appears to be undistinguishable from R. capillacea. Mr. 
Hill found the plant in wet pine barrens, around the head of Lake 
Michigan, at Pine Station, Indiana. There is another ‘variety, 
needing a name (at least until it is confirmed by finding it constant, 
in other stations), discovered in Herkimer County, New York, in 1864, 
by Professor J. A. Paine, which has twelve bristles (instea 
nary six), and the remarkable stipe to the akene is rather 
usual, — A. Gray 
shorter than 
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