2 
■ 
of any plant. True, among the host of recent observers, it would 
be strange if similar cases had not been noticed, and probably 
records of such exist, but they cannot possibly be of common oc- 
currence. Again, although the origin of these foliar members 'is 
evident, the meaning of the adnation is not clear; as the meaning of 
the reversion of the parts of a flower to leaves is clear, in the light 
of our accepted theory of metamorphosis. 
In attempting to find the cause of the union between parts so 
rarely found organically united, a few facts and features were seen 
to stand out prominently, and led the writer to adopt the view (not 
a conclusive one, however,) presented later on. These facts serially 
stated are: . . 
(i). The true peduncle has entirely disappeared, and those parts 
of the petioles coming in direct contact with the berry have become 
a part of it, and have readily assumed its color, texture and general 
aspect. 
(2). This union has not interfered with the fruitfulness cr devel- 
opment of the ovary, the seeds being present, and the size of the 
berry not being under the average. ' 
(3). The flowers become consolidated, as in Fig. 5, and an in- 
crease or suppression of parts occurs in such cases without interfer- 
ing with the development of the berry. 
(4). In Figs. 3 and 4, where the twin corollas and calyces are dis- 
tinct, there will be observed, half-way between them, a small fleshy 
point or protuberance, as if some extra-floral part, possibly a recep- 
tacle-like axis, had sought to show itself. 
Taking these facts together, they seem to fit one hypothesis better 
than any other. In consideration of these points we may remark 
that it is stated, on good authority (see Prof, Morren's papers and 
Masters's Veg. Teratology), that floral monsters are usually sterile, not 
only on account of the suppression of stamens or carpels, but from 
the general disorganizing influence of such malformations. But, as 
we have already stated, fertility does not seem to be interfered with 
in our leafy partridge-berries, not even in the cases where there is a 
consolidation of both flowers. This condition of things has appeared 
to the writer to point to the conclusion that these changes are not 
far out of the line of the general tendency in the plant's life; and 
that the adnation seei> may not be between as widely separated 
members as at first would appear. Furthermore, the first point men- 
tioned, viz., the ready union of leaf-petioles with the berry proper, 
and their simulation of it, seems to indicate a closer relationship be- 
tween its external portion and the leaves than we believe to exist 
between the leaves and the calyx. We have supposed, therefore, 
that a fleshy expansion of the receptacle, or an hypanthium, such as 
IS supposed by many to exist in the lower part of the pear and some 
other mfenor ovaries, might be present. With such a structure we 
could more readily imagine the union of the leaves to take place 
th^n with the calyx. At the same time, the essential organs would 
be less injuriously affected by this abnormal union. In brief, the 
changes would be between parts more or less extra-floral, and there- 
fore »ot likely to seriously affect the fertility of the essential organs. 
