PRIMULA ELATIOR IN BRITAIN. 201 
while, on rarer occasions, I have seen this fasciation carried to 
an extraordinary extent, the flower-stalk, though no thicker than 
usual, being fully one inch in width and bearing more than 200 
flowers massed together in the umbel at the top. Naturally, in 
such aberrant developments as these, the characteristic shape of 
the umbel is entirely lost, the flowers being so crowded together 
that they have to arrange themselves as best they can, while 
many never have a chance of opening. The Cowslip occasionally 
produces similarly fasciated umbels. 
Often (though not always) assuciated with the fasciated flowers 
(and, like them, doubtless, due mainly to stimulation) is the form 
bearing irregular umbels, which sometimes include one or more 
leaves, and sometimes have several pedicels springing from the 
side of the peduncle below the umbel. Yet another not un- 
common aberrant form which seems to be more or less con- 
nected with fasciation is that in which the flowers are synanthic, 
having a large number of calyx-teeth, many petals, twelve or 
more anthers, and a large flattened stigma. 
Other abnormal floral developments, apparently not necessarily 
à result of stimulation, are (as already stated) associated with 
the single-flowered variety, being seldom, if ever, observable 
When the flowers grow in a normal umbel. The chief of these 
8 that phyllodie form in which the calyx-teeth become developed 
Into small, but perfect, leaves, from a quarter of an ineh to an 
inch and a half in length. When the calyx-leaves (as we may call 
im) are developed to the greatest extent indicated, the inner 
organs generally remain small and aborted at the bottom 
a * normally long calyx-tube. There are similar phyllodie 
Amet qe Primrose and of the common Garden Polyanthus. 
T With this form (and therefore also with the single- 
lifeated " aero) I have, on very rare occasions, observed pro- 
the centre idi having a corolla with anthers growing out of 
ticular ot another flower. This sport is that known to hor- 
nists as the + hose-in-hose ” variety when it occurs (as it 
oeg : l 
rim not uncommonly in cultivation) in connection with the 
rose and the Polyanthus. 
i EXPLANATION OF PLATE 11. 
Mur show; "M 
owing the Distribution of Primula elatior in Britain (between 
pp. 184 & 185.) 
