GARDEN NOTES OF THE MONTH. 
bodies like spores in its substance. The cellular filaments are seen under the microscope. The ten¬ 
dency to divide in a merismatic manner is common in many of the lower classes of plants, and this 
seems to be what occurs at a certain period of growth, when the plant divides into two laminae in a 
horizontal manner. If the plant is allowed to continue growing, it forms numerous laminse, one above 
the other, somewhat like the mode in which some monocotyledonous stems or corms increase. The 
anomalous forms of fungi, in certain circumstances, have lately excited much interest, and Mr. Berkeley 
has called attention to some of the remarkable transformations which they undergo. These transfor¬ 
mations are such, that many forms considered as separate genera are now looked upon as mere varieties 
of one species. 
That mould of various kinds, when placed in syrup, shows the same tendency to form a flat 
gelatinous, or somewhat leathery expansion, is shown by the following experiments;—Some mould 
that had grown on an apple was put into syrup on the 5th March, 1851, and in the course of two 
months, there was a cellular flat expanded mass formed, while the syrup was converted into vinegar. 
Some of the original mould was seen on the surface in its usual form. Some mould from a pear was 
treated in a similar way at the same time, and the results were similar. So also with various moulds 
growing on bread, tea, and other vegetable substances. The effect of these moulds was in most cases 
to cause a fermentation, which resulted in the production of vinegar. In another experiment on the 8th 
November, 1850, a quantity of raw sugar, treacle, and water, were put into a jar without any plant 
being introduced, and they were left untouched till March 5, 1851. When examined, a growth like 
that of the Vinegar plaut was visible, and vinegar was formed. The plant was removed and put into 
fresh syrup, and again the production of vinegar took place. 
It would appear from experiment that when purified white sugar alone is used to form syrup, the 
plant when placed in it does not produce vinegar so readily, the length of time required for the change 
varying from four to six months. There may possibly be something in the raw sugar and treacle 
which tends to promote the acetous change. 
Dr. Greville, than whom few are better acquainted with the lower orders of vegetation, has stated 
his belief, that the Vinegar plant is an abnormal state of some fungus. It is well known that many 
fungi, in peculiar circumstances, present most remarkable forms; for instance, the so-called genus 
Myconema of Fries, as well as the genus Ozonium. Even some of the Agarics present anomalous 
appearances, such as the absence of the pileus, &c., in certain instances. The remarkable appearances 
of Dry-rot, in different circumstances, are well known. 
GARDEN NOTES OF THE MONTH. 
^R. VAN BUREN, in the American Horticulturist (vi., 575), notices, in respect to blue flowers :—1. 
That a large majority of our native plants, bearing blue flowers, bloom either early in spring or late 
in autumn, and he enquires,—Do blue flowers require and consume more oxygen than those of other 
colours? The bruised petals or expressed juice of red flowers exposed to the atmosphere change to a 
blue colour : Is this caused by absorption of oxygen ? f If so, may not plants consume a greater 
quantity at these seasons than when the air is in a more rarified state ? Or does the intensity of the 
solar rays alone cause a redundancy of brighter coloured flowers in summer ? 2. Wild blue-flowering 
plants are more frequently found in moist, shaded situations, than in more exposed, sunny spots. The 
colour of many plants may be changed from pale red to blue, by employing “ swamp mould,” and 
keeping them in the shade. Pursuing these hints, he suggests that blue flowers might, by perseverance 
through several generations, be produced on many plants now producing flowers of other colours. 
Heartsease in pots are likely to form quite a feature at the Metropolitan exhibitions. We hear that 
our indefatigable friend, Mr. Turner, of the Royal Nursery, Slough, will have plants, fine compact 
specimens (covered with scores of flowers), eighteen inches to two feet in diameter. Such plants will 
do more to draw attention to the growth of pansies than as many cut flowers as would cover a rod of 
ground. 
Ml, 
