[112]

1880

Megarrhiza

March 2d — Stem of a plant trailed on to stick now grown to height of 4 ft 6 inch — roots white, (as well as pl buried plumule for length of 1 1/2 inch— petioles almost decayed & cots quite decayed—

Root 2 inches long & .4 inch in broadest parts— slightly tapering like a little carrot— taste rather bitter, but nutritious. — F. says contains much starch.—

(I fully believe the radicle which is first protruded consists almost exclusively of Petioles)

/over

[112v]

Megarrhiza

The placing radicle beneath surface analogous to effect of De Vries contraction—

doubtful whether from same cause, as the latter serves apparently for protection from win frost,— more likely against animals which feed on it.—

[113]

In Megarrhiza Californica in which the cotyledon an hypogean & never break out of the seed-coats, this wd be no use for a heel or peg & there is no trace of one

Ch. II