158 | Mr. D. Dow on the Ligulate Rays in Zinnia, $c. 
with 4 or 5 stigmata, the number was two or three ; with 6, three ; 
with 8, four; and with 10, five; but when they exceeded two, 
they were found generally to be imperfectly formed and united 
together, having but seldom more than one cotyledon; and 
where no increase takes place, as very often happens, the em- 
bryo is always found to be distorted, and the cotyledons un- 
equal. It is not unusual to find, even in a floret of the ordinary 
structure, but with an increased number of stigmata, a mon- 
strous embryo having several unilateral, dolabriform cotyledons, 
and a long, filiform radicle. In the perfect embryo of Zinnia the 
cotyledons are linear-oblong, obtuse, with a straight, subulate 
radicle scarcely half their length. 
In conclusion it may be observed, that deviations from the 
typical form are of rare occurrence in the flowers of Zinnia ele- 
gans, as in all the capitula of that species, which were examined 
by me, I did not meet with a solitary instance. The species in 
which I have found them most frequently to occur is Zinnia ver- 
ticillata; for almost every capitulum of this species will be found 
to furnish many examples: and the circumstance of the leaves 
being frequently verticillate in this species would appear to 
exert an influence over the parts of fructification, affording a 
isinge auae. as it appears to me, of the correctness of the 
sory advanced by M Mr. Brow De seeing. the origin. of those 
—— imous formed. In Zinnia 
verticillata I have occasionally mot with Want ine E. 
having 5 stamina and 5 perfect stigmata. 
* Linn. Trans. loc. cit. 
CEN Some 
