FASCIATION IN FIELD PEAS. 
73 
entirely to the region adjacent to the apex of the stem, and were 
in great abundance, as may be seen from the photographs, of 
separate stems (Pis. 1-3). In spite of the abundant flowers 
very few seeds were developed, although the blossoms seemed 
to be normal in themselves. The few pods that were seen were 
usually of one seed only, and as the field was plowed before these 
were ripe none could be obtained for experimental cultivation. 
Not over ten per cent, of the vines were normal, and no crop was 
gathered from this small portion. 
An examination of the abnormal stems showed an excessive 
number of flowers at the summit, a hollow and enlarged stem, 
the actual tip in the form of a ring being hidden under the multi¬ 
tude of buds and leaf elements produced at the edge of the apex 
of the tube. A few of the stems were split downward for a short 
distance from the tip and had a tendency to become flattened. 
These showed the presence of an inner tube, practically free from 
the outer, and sinuously tapering to a point, which was usually 
free within the cavity of the stem. Such an internal tube was 
attached to the inner surface of the outer wall by the most delicate 
gossamer of cell remnants, and was itself of a delicate texture, 
the inner surface (of this tube) being smooth and shining, in 
contrast to the ribbed and dull appearance of the outer wall of 
the stem. The inner tubes were present in all of the abnormal 
plants examined, and are shown quite clearly in the illustrations 
herewith. The upper end of the stem may almost be said to dis¬ 
solve info buds and rudimentary branches, they so completely hide 
the tip of the stalk, as can be seen in one of the photographs (PL 
3). Some of the branches were slightly fasciated also, but were 
not provided with the inner tube, so far as observed. 
The separation of the stem into the inner and outer tubes 
begins about one cm. from the tip, but does not become complete 
much short of three cm. from the rim. The disunion of the two 
portions seems to be caused by the more rapid growth of the 
outer tubular wall, which elongates more rapidly than the inner 
tube and consequently tears it from its attachments as soon as 
the strain exceeds the elastic limit of the thin walled cells uniting 
the two surfaces. The survival for a time of a few points of 
