Atavism by Seeds and Buds. 
109 
constitute a reversion to the normal clover leaf but, on 
the other hand, they are merely the extreme variants in 
the curve of the five-leaved 
race (Fig. 6, p. 48). A 
similar state of affairs pre- 
vails in numerous cases of 
semilatency where the range 
of variation of a character 
is occasioned by the antag- 
onism of two characters. 
Mutational atavism must 
obviously be as rare as mu- 
tation itself. The reversion 
of striped flowers to self- 
colored ones, the heritable 
atavism of Plantago lanceo- 
lata ramosa, and the incon- 
stancy of the peloric Lina- 
ria, are facts which we shall 
have to consider below. 
Physiological atavism 
can be manifested by plants 
propagated by seeds or by 
buds. In the case of the 
former definite proof is 
only possible under excep- 
tionally favorable circum- 
stances; in the case of the Fi f } 6 - .Cephalotaxus pedunculata 
fastigiata. The mam stem bears 
latter it is at once evident the upright branches with leaves 
/T-" 1^- A \ '-ni 1 inserted on all sides, character- 
ing. 16 at A). ihe pub- istic O f the var iety; but has pro- 
lished records of atavism uced at A, where a branch has 
been cut off close, several 
in crops of seedlings are branches with flat spreading bi- 
1 i 1 serial leaves such as are char- 
always subject to the StlS- acte ristic of the parent species. 
