
          846.

six inches long.  I thought it peculiar but paid no particular notice to
it until sometime afterwards, when I observed the same thing again.
I then looked into the matter a little more carefully and soon noticed
that possibly between ¼ and ⅓ of the spathes of plants growing
in the water were raised somewhat above the surface of the water
and could be pulled out readily.  Two of these were found with stalks
nearly 9 inches long, but most of them I think averaged between 4 and 5
inches.  These were some with stalks only about 2 inches long.  In nearly
every case I noticed two bracts(?) still attached to the lower end of
the stalk.  The entire spathe, <s>there</s> with stalk, therefore, apparently
comes from the plant.  They all came up with the lower end as clearly
cut across as if it had been done with a knife.  The ease with which
they came up and the appearance of their lower apparently cut-off
extremities, reminded me of the ease with which the floral and leaf-scales come off and the appearance of their <s>lower</s>
lower cut-off extremities.  What can be the cause of the behavior
of these spathes.  I can think of nothing that can cause it.  The
water seems to be partly the cause, for more were found, out of water,
to behave that way; but if it is the water, why are not all the
spathes growing in water alike.  Even on the same plant, two spathes
growing side by side behaved differently, one remaining firmly attached, and
        