12

Fir

Leaves Drawn into Holes

Sep 24th [1880] — a large majority of small leaves drawn into holes by their tips & pointed end wd manifestly go easiest into hole — a few tracings — & a large maple leaf by base — But pins of Pinus invariably not by tips but by base as 2 or more of the needle colour & diverge & cd not otherwise be drawn in — To this sense or necessity — does worm first try by apical of needles?

I have now looked at many a score of tufts of Pines-leaves — no exception — perhaps posterior end pricklier then noses. They must be dragged in by either end — but if so the above move nearer then I shd have expected, for worms to try the other end.

25th Have examined ends no trace of gnawing & ends well adapted for discovery, as concentric with central knob — or simple knob — good as proof of by draw in are same

12v

principle as stones or bits of stick.

Examined, for comparison leaves of P. austriaca & nigricans which had fallen near by & had not been dragged into worm-holes. — I have now examined these fallen leaves, & both the few of disarticulated surfaces found exactly like those long in mouths of burrow latter certainly not gnawed.

(Sept 30th found cherry in Pot smeared with very wet sand, not alkaline or acid — state artificial trypsin was washed)