The "Witch Hazel" is one of the most interesting plants in our woods. It is not of large or imposing dimensions, but in exceptional cases it attains a height of 20 feet, though being profuse in the production of branches, it is seldom seen more than 15 feet high. The peculiar season at which it blooms, together with the fact that it bears flowers and fruit at the same time, is its chief source of popular interest. Of some importance to the medical faculty is the medicinal oil obtainable from its seeds. The flowers usually appear in the winter, though sometimes in fall and early spring. The sepals are insignificant, but the long narrow petals are curious and showy. Numerous clusters of the greenish-yellow fruit may be observed side by side with the flowers. In mere outward form the fruit resembles an acorn flattened at the apex.

What I suppose to be an abnormal development of it came under my notice last season. The deformed fruit was green and covered with soft spines, otherwise it closely resembled the husk or covering of beech nuts in a green state, except that while the beech husk is more or less pointed at the apex, the other was rounded. At the base of each deformed fruit a small aperture was noticeable. On cutting one through, the center was found to be hollow. The interior surface was perfectly smooth and the cavity was well filled with winged insects of a dirty black color. The small aperture penetrated to the interior and may be regarded as a provision for the escape of the insects. On being liberated in a warm atmosphere, the latter showed signs of life by crawling about in various directions, and under the influence of genial sunshine some of the more robust flew away ; in a cold atmosphere they showed no signs of animation. There was not a single normal fruit upon this particular plant. In all stages of development, the fruits, which were numerous, bore the same marks of deformity.

All other plants that have come under my notice in the same locality have borne only normal fruit, but they are growing in positions where they obtain the full advantage of air and sunlight, while the specimen bearing abnormal fruit is closely shaded on all sides by over-hanging trees.

Euonymous Europaus in October is a showy shrub, sometimes attaining the dimensions of a small tree. . It is a native of Europe, but is none the less desirable for every American garden where good things find a home. The Spindle Tree, as it is sometimes called, frequently grows to the height of 30 feet. It is deciduous, but perfectly hardy. Being of a bushy habit, it soon forms a neat specimen for the lawn. The dark green, shining leaves have a very pleasing appearance. The flowers are inconspicuous, but the bright crimson fruits with which the branches are well clad in October render it an attractive object. Early in the month the fruits expand and expose the bright orange-coated seeds to view. Fruits, seeds and leaves form a very pleasing combinanation of color.