Bud-Variation 17 



that in one branch the variegated combination predomi- 

 nated, in the other one the green color. 



As a further illustration of bud-variation, I may men- 

 tion the nectarines. These are hairless peaches, which 

 originated in several varieties, and in some of them re- 

 peatedly through bud-variation. This fact can be ex- 

 plained only by saying that the possibility of producing 

 hairy fruit can become lost in single branches, easily and 

 independently from all other characters, or at least be- 

 come latent. 



The characteristics which originate through bud-vari- 

 ation are usually preserved by propagation by means of 

 grafts, cuttings, et cetera, and, in isolated cases, are even 

 constant from seed. New varieties may therefore be pro- 

 duced in this manner. And, since we regard varieties as 

 incipient species, this consideration is further evidence of 

 an accordance in the differences between species and be- 

 tween organs. 



Naturally included with bud-variations is the consid- 

 eration of monoecious plants, for the latter agree with the 

 former in the fact that different branches allow different 

 qualities to develop. In the young plant the sexes are not 

 yet separated, and frequently for a long time the possibil- 

 ity of producing both is retained. If this process, how- 

 ever, is started, it is accomplished by a kind of separation : 

 one bud develops into a staminate, the other into a pistil- 

 late flower. Or staminate and pistillate inflorescences are 

 produced, or whole branches are predominantly pistillate 

 and others staminate. The specific character was there- 

 fore present in the young plant as a whole, but in a latent 

 state, and, in order to manifest itself, it had to split into 

 its two chief parts. 



The formation of organs, bud-variation, and the pro- 



