156 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1887. 



petals could be ti^aced in some Leguminosce, and especially in the 

 common Red Field Clover. 



When vegetation was arrested in its growth and bud scales were 

 formed for the j^rotection of the growth-germ for the next season, 

 it was the stipule or dilated base of the petiole that formed the scale. 

 This was evident to those who watched the bursting of the growth 

 buds in spring of the species of Fraxinus, or of the Dwarf Horse 

 Chestnut (Aesculus parvijiora) common in gardens. 



The formation of petals for the protection of the rejiroductive 

 germ, was also the result of arrested vegetative growth, and we may 

 safely assume that the same law operates on the stipules and petiolar 

 bases, in the one case as in the other. 



This Magnolia confirms these views, as already indicated in the 

 paper referred to. The stipules increase in size, and the develop- 

 ment of the leaf blade is arrested just in proportion as the true 

 petals are approached, until the last one preceding the true flower 

 is nearly as large as the petals, and of nearly their form and char- 

 acter. In some cases the stipule appears as a perfect petal, with not a 

 of leaf blade left. The true sepal or petal has lost all trace of petiole 

 or blade, it is broadened at the base, and, we see, cannot be aught 

 but the stipule modified. 



The fact that the petals of flowers are rather the bases of petioles 

 or stipules, than modifications of full typical leaves may not only be 

 proved by such observations as have been referred to, but accords 

 Avith that philosophy which would expect to find an uniform law 

 result from uniform causes. For if, as cannot be doubted, the check 

 vegetative growth produce petal a bud scale out of a stipule, the 

 check to vegetative growth should produce a petal (a flower scale) out 

 of the same typical form. The theory gives to morphological law 

 a harmony of action that is wanting without it. 



May 17. 

 Mr. J. H. Redfield, in the chair. 

 Twenty-eight jDersons present. 



May 24. 

 Mr. Chas. Morris, in the chair. 

 Twenty-nine persons present. 



A paper entitled "Notes on the Anatomy of Echidna hystrix." 

 By H. C. Chapman M. D., was presented for publication. 



Permission was given to change the name of a communication 

 presented October 19, 1886, by Prof. Wm. B. Scott, for publication 

 in the Journal of the Academy, from " The Genera Mesonyx and 

 Pachyaena, Cope." to "On some new and little-known Creodouts." 



