The evening times., 1899-07-12
CURIOUS SEEDS.
4 Pine Tree That Is IN Enigma to
EOtanisfs.
(From the London Daily MaiI.)


There is a botanical enigma in Kew
Gardens. This is a curious specimen of
the pine tree. 1t is handsome to look at
and sturdy in its growth. But the extraOr-
binary thing about this pine is that nobody
has been able to explain precisely how
1t begins its life. Several authorities on
trees and plants have examined it. They
admit that the tree present problem un-
like anything ever before encountered in
botany. This tree, which is known as
Pinus muricata, and of which there are
several examples at Kew, produces at reg
ular intervals the usual cones containing
the seeds But, strange to say, these cones
appear to be protected in the strongest
possible manner. SO as to prevent the seeds
from being released. The cones are hard
and tightly closed, and have strong over
tapping scales.
But more extraordinary than this is the
fact that the tree after producing these
almost invulnerable cones keeps them
hanging unopened year after year upon its
thickening branches. Unless for some ex-
traordinary accident, the seeds would thus
remain attached to their parent tree for
ever Many of the cones on these trees
at Kew Gardens have been there for years,
as is shown by the size of the branches
and the formation Of the bark.
1t is only recently that the attention of
fact. Most plants We know do all they
can to launch their progeny in the world
as quickly as possible. and to spread them
widely apart. This is done by all the
other plants We know by means OF many
a cunning contrivance, with the down or
wings or burrs to catch to an animals
coat, or juicy pulp TO tempt the birds to
carry them away.
1t is universal rule throughout the
known but this one extraordinary exeep-
tion-that every plant in order to repro
duce its species is provided with inter
.esting and ingenious means for effectually
scattering its seeds. Why, then, is the
mysterious pine tree at Kew Gardens the
only exception to this rule? That is the
question which botanists are asking each
other.
Nobody has yet been able to offer a
satisfactory explanation. In the examina.
tions that have been made of this strange
pine it has been found that the seed YES
sells which the tree so powerfully retains
are so we'll protected that strong, sharp
knife, with the assistance OF heavy ham
mer, is requisite TO sectionize the cone
No ordinary conditions of temperature will
make one of these cones open.
The only explanation of this mystery
which has been offered with any grounds
well-known botanist, after puzz,ing for
several months about this tree, says that
the species is perpetuated by fire. He as
serts that nothing but an intense forest
fire, which will sweep a grove of these
trees out of existence, will compel them TO
release their seeds. Under the influence
of intense heat it has been found that the
cones crack open and the seeds fail out
unscathed.
In any event, the seeds are known to re-
tain their vitality for years After hang
ing for many seasons upon the tree it has
been found that the seeds when released
by means of a hammer and chisel will
grow if planted in the ground.
II you knock Off one of these cones from
it's parent tree (which can only be done
with a strong Blow the cone will remain
upon the ground throughout all the season
without showing the fainte:t inclination to
open and release the seeds. Such cone
buried in the ground will retain the seeds
in a firm grasp.
These facts tend to support the fire the
ory as the only possible explanation of this
botanical mystery. Still, many botanists
are not satisfied with the explanation. No
where else in the vegetable kingdom is
there a plant or tree requiring forest fire
and the destruction of the parent to re-
produce it's species.
This mysterious pine tree inhabits Up
per California, but will only grow near the
seacoast. 1t does not attain very large
size and it's growth is slow. The theory
that the seeds were carried to new places
and released from their cones by the sea
has been abandoned, since it was shown
that the cones can never reach the sea IN
der ordinary circumstances, and that a
long immersion in water does not induce
them to Open.