[113]

1881

Petioles of Robinia

Feb 2d. 1881 ─ F. found 3 inserted by base in Sir Johns wood they are long ─ one was 8 1/2 inches & these tapering considerably from base ─ when fresh cd be easily bent.─ (4 from Southampton, 3 base, 1 by apex)

2 of the 3 largely gnawed all round then inserted bases.

3 Frank from Mr Teesdale		The 3 above not been counted
Drawn in by apex.   18	Drawn in by base & apparently not gnawed 10	Drawn in by base & apparently gnawed 26	Total by Base   36

 

one drawn in by bending double in middle — Dragged in, in many parts of England.

Some of petioles very small 11 1/2 inches in length

Feb. 5. I have been looking again, I must say that gnawed at base ─ some however, have the fibrous layer beneath bark, more frayed than others.

Those which had been drawn in by apex, retained much more commonly some bark at base, than those drawn in by base, but then the litter may have rotted off, for bark of petiole evidently rots very easily.

Moreover, in their dried fallen addition the petioles of attachment & this might guide the worms ─ nor is any part thick ─ either end cd be easily drawn in the burrows their petioles were collected in Feb. after petioles so much rotted hard to judge about gnawing (over)

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Feb. 5 F. collected more petioles from Mr Teesdales & thinks a good many had been collect drawn in since the 2d & if so they wd have drawn in pointed ends.

By base 15 Bark, more fragment left on any one of those 15)

By apex 24 12 of these with some Bark & one perfect}

Doubled up & drawn in 2.   put a rock

Feb. 10th I have looked at petioles soaked for 5 days. It is my mistake that became narrower close above base─ the outer cortical layer is here very thick & shrivel much when dryed off but well again in water.─ When this layer scraped off appearance the same as in what I called gnawed petioles ─ Sole evidence of gnawing is the removal of bark at base in those drawn un by base ─ In soaked for 5 days, this part not so easily [removed] & I have now buried in formerly possessed earth to see if removed in with dung those from ground─ After 2 days these were pulled out of earth & the whole of the bark was removed. [It is] evident of these petioles having been gnawed: this is only inherent probability this thick layer of soft tissue wd not be neglected.─ It is possible that worms draw such these objects inside

I believe gnawed but not certain