The Origin of Chrysanthemum Seyetuin Plenum. 
from the figures obtained in this way. But there is, as 
\ve have already seen, another method of estimating the 
individual value of a plant, namely that based on a de- 
termination of the mean character of as many flowers 
as possible on a single individual. This raises two points 
for consideration : first the mode of branching of the 
corn marigold, and secondly the influence of the devia- 
tion of the individual from the mean of its race. 
The mode of branching in Chrysanthemum secjctinn 
is as follows. The main stem which arises from the 
plumule bears two groups of branches ; strong ones at its 
base from the axils of the radical leaves ; and, higher up, 
weaker ones whose vigor first gradually increases and 
then decreases, as they succeed one another from below 
upwards. This applies both to their length and to the 
number and strength of their secondary branches. These 
secondary branches are, therefore, of the third order: 
they often bear branchlets of the fourth and even of 
the fifth order. The flowers that bloom in July, with us, 
are mostly of the second order, those blooming in August 
- o o 
and September of the third and fourth. 
In the course of the summer, and with the flowers 
on the successively higher orders of branches variability 
is seen to manifest a general decrease. The sides of the 
curve are, so to speak, drawn in; the curve itself be- 
comes narrower. The amount of deviation of the various 
individuals from the mean of the race decreases, and 
the mean consequently comes to stand out more boldly. 
This is of especial importance in cases in which a curve 
has been shifted laterally by stringent selection (such 
as Fig. 32, p. 181) where it might remain doubtful what 
the shape of the curves would have been if selection had 
