286 DR. M. T. MASTERS ОМ SOME POINTS IN 
even among wild plants not subjected to cultivation the relative proportion of vari- 
ously deformed Primulacez is decidedly large. 
The common Primrose is, for instance, very subject to such changes, while the species 
of Lysimachia and Anagallis, which are comparatively rare in gardens, are so in a less 
degree. | 
Particular genera and even particular species are much more subject to these changes 
than others—the wild Primrose, for instance, as compared with the wild Cowslip. So 
in cultivation Primula prenitens (P. sinensis) is exceedingly liable to morphological 
disturbances, while Primula cortusoides and P. japonica are at present, according to 
my experience, but very slightly so. 
It may be said, perhaps, that the varying conditions under which wild plants of widely 
extended geographical distribution grow may have some effect in determining these 
changes; but if so, they are not very obvious; for one may find a single patch of mal- 
formed Primroses growing amid a multitude of normal flowers, and apparently under like 
conditions. Samolus Valerandi has almost world-wide distribution; but it grows every- 
where in similar localities ; hence it is not surprising to find that, comparatively speaking, 
this species is not much subject to monstrous deviations from the typical structure. It 
_ is worthy of consideration whether this instability of form in certain species is connected 
with any change, either in the way of advance or retrogression—whether, in other words, 
it is in any way connected with the progressive development of an advancing type, or the 
gradual degeneration of a form destined to more or less speedy extinction. This, how- 
ever, is a question upon which it is not my purpose to enter in this place. 
I propose now to glance briefly at some of the more important changes which are met 
with in the plants cf this order. 
Catyx.—The most frequent deviations from the normal type of calyx consist іп an 
enhanced degree of leafy development, or phyllody—a very common occurrence in the 
Chinese Primrose of gardens (Primula prenitens), and by no means uncommon in wild - 
Primroses. | 
Sometimes the leafy character is associated with complete dialysis of the sepals, when 
there results a calyx of five free leaves, sometimes distinctly petiolate, as in ће Cycla- 
men figured on the next page*. A minor degree of this change, that called * virescence,” 
is also not uncommon. Here the parts of the flower are nearly unchanged in form and 
position, but are of a green colour. | 
А change of an opposite character is that wherein the calyx assumes the coloration. of 
the corolla, the condition called * calycanthemy.” This occurs in some long-cultivated 
varieties of Polyanthus, and has been made the subject of a special memoir by the late 
Prof. Morren 7. 
. Conorra.—The teratological changes which occur in the corolla of Primulacee are of 
special interest in connexion with the notions entertained by morphologists as to its con- 
stitution. In most of the genera of the order the five petals of which the corolla consists 
form, at the base, a tube of varying length and diverse form, while above the five 
* Masters, * Vegetable Teratology,’ p. 248. + Bull. Acad. Belg. xix. part 2, p. 93. 
