i8o 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



yet the reason that they are not so common as the 

 freshwater forms of those colours is that, owing to the 

 larger amount of environmental conditions, they are 

 farther removed from their primitive condition and 

 would not be expected to readily revert. 



ir. That the explanation of the horn-colour 

 persisting in our hyaline is to be sought, in great 

 measure, to their smallness, and, consequently, their 

 relative immunity from destruction by those foes 

 which make snails their food. 



The above statements massed together under their 

 several numbers have each and all a bearing direct on 

 the theory I have advanced when seen in the light of 

 the fundamental law of Haeckel, and the hypothesis 

 of evolution, as enunciated and given by Darwin, 

 Spencer, Romanes, Sutton, and others. Many 

 conchologists have doubtless specimens in their 

 collections which will still further elucidate these 

 several points, and, perhaps, add others. The 

 strongest support no doubt is that given under the 

 first four numbers, and with some these facts would 

 by themselves warrant support to the theory. But 

 only as a theory, and as a tenative for further work, 

 it must at present stand. 



57 Corinne Road, Tufnell Park, N. 



NOTES ON VEGETABLE TERATOLOGY. 



AS I thought, the flowing summer has been useful 

 in drawing the attention of hosts of our 

 readers, not only to the normal, but the abnormal 

 growths of plants. The number of specimens sent me 

 has been legion. One would have thought this 

 must have been the most phenomenal year in the 

 history of vegetable growths, judging by the number 

 sent. Instead of that being the case, it is perhaps 

 the mildest the editor ever remembers. Increased 

 observers and increased observation discover a larger 

 number of monstrous forms, just as an increase in the 

 numbers of our police is the means (or ought to be) 

 of discovering, not more crime, but more criminals. 



Of the almost overwhelming number of teratological 

 curiosities sent, I would draw chief attention to those 

 of rib-wort plantain (Plantago lanceolata). I never 

 remember a more wonderful or comical variety of 

 inflorescence it has run into than that of this year. 

 P. lanceolata has simply been "on the Spree" (but 

 not in Prussia). At first I thought of illustrating the 

 most interesting of its abnormal growths ; but, as 

 they came trooping into the office from all parts, I 

 had at last to remember the cost of illustration. 



Just note, in connection with the rib-wort plantain 

 the fact that it represents a retrograde — not an 

 ambitiously advanced — form of flower and inflor- 

 escence. 



Fasciation (or " clubbing ") is often due to disease. 

 The disease may be caused by greedy aphides, or less 

 greedy cynips (note the terminals growth of the 



twigs of the lime trees in gardens, and the galls 

 which have suppressed further growth of the 

 branches.) 



I often wonder how far insect parasitism, or 

 vegetable parasitism, by attacking the growing and 

 developing parts of flowering plants, has helped ta 

 modify the shapes, 1 seasonal habits, and general 1 

 characters every flowering plant has acquired. The 



Fig. 104. — Fasciated shoot of Gorse. 



Fig. 103. — Fasciated shoot of Gorse. 



colour and shape we know it by is, because of all its 

 preceding ancestral conditions. What were they ? 

 Will the study of vegetable monstrosities help us ? I 

 think they will. 



The Rev. F. H. Arnold's sketch of the fasciated 

 stem of gorse is exceedingly interesting as noting how 

 the shapes of plants may be due to external influences 

 shaping them. Also a sketch of curious malforma- 

 tions of cabbage leaves, suggesting the origin of 

 pitcher plants. 



