464

[photograph]

P. W. Sheafer,
Engineer and Geologist.

Pottsville, Pa., Sept. 20 1886

Dear Sir

Herewith please have a photo of some beech trees
[?] a Southern Slope of a hill near our [borough?], the
branches of which grew parallel to the surface of the ground.
I collect [attention?] of Prof. Meehan of the [?]. Acad. Nat.
Sci. to the fact. In his remark before the Acad. he referred to
you bringing this "curious subject" to the attention of the British
[?] [?] said you was "a full grown tree, which, after some
years from [?] [?], had changed its trunk from a [?]
to a [?] form." This [answer?] is not my point, but is the
[?] of the branch to the [?] of the [?]. This
[?] stems six or more tries following that law – if it is a law –
[is?] a mere [excentricity?]. We have some twenty or more
trees in the same vicinity, mostly beech trees, some [here?] [?]
chestunut. Is not this a new [?] in Biological Science.
Please favor me with your views & send me your paper [?]
[?] for the British [?]. I may help you with notes for the [?].

I am very truly yours,
P. W. Sheafer

Prof. Bessey, Lincoln, Nebraska