196 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



distributed. That is to say, the pieces of the corolla, being all uniform in 

 size and shape, have each an equal proportion of color. Examples of this 

 occur in Primulaceee, Boraginece, Ericaceae, Geiitianeae, Papaveracese, 

 Cruciferse, Bosacese, Cactacese, &c. Law 2. Irregularity of corolla is asso- 

 ciated with irregular distribution of color. The odd lobe of the corolla iu 

 such is most varied in form, size and color. When there is only color, it 

 is usually more intense in the odd lobe. "When there are two, one of 

 them is very generally confined to the odd lobe. Sometimes, when only 

 one color is present, and of uniform intensity in all the pieces, the odd lobe 

 has spots, or streaks, of white. The odd lobe, therefore, in irregular flow- 

 ers, is distinguished from the others not merely by size, form and position, 

 but also by its color. Papilionacete, Labiatoe, Scrophularinete, &c., are 

 examples. In some cases, as Gloxinia, Achimenes, Hhododendron, &c., 

 in which irregularity of flower is less marked, the two pieces on each side 

 of the odd lobe frequently partake of its character as regards color. In 

 some thalami-florous Exogens, (as Pelargonium, Troprcolum, JEsculus,) 

 &c., with irregularity of flower, owing chiefly to difference in the size of 

 the pieces, the largest are most highly colored. Law 3. Different forms of 

 corolla in the same inflorescence often present differences of color, but all 

 of the same form have the same color. The Compositee are examples ; 

 when there are two colors, the flowers of the centre have one color, and 

 uniform in its intensity ; those of the circumference also agree in this 

 respect, but have the other color. The first two laws prevail in monoco- 

 tyledons as well as in dicotyledons. In. the former the calyx and corolla 

 generally resemble each other in structure, shape, and in color also. The 

 law of contrasts is, therefore, simpler in monocotyledons than in dico- 

 tyledons. The former may be symbolized by the triangle, three and six 

 being the typical numbers in the flower ; the latter by the square or penta- 

 gon, four and eight, five or ten, being the prevalent numbers. Simplicity 

 of figure corresponds with simple contrast of color in the one, while greater 

 complexity of color and of structure are in direct relation in the other. 

 According to the investigations of Brongniart, there has been progressive 

 increase of angiospermous dicotyledons up to man's epoch. Among them 

 we find the floral organs with greater prominence in size, form and color, 

 and such prominence of the " nuptial dress" of the plant is peculiarly a 

 feature of species belonging to natural families which have attained their 

 maximum in man's epoch and are characteristic of it. 



Mr. "Warrington gave an account of some experiments he had made on 

 the influence of colored glass on the growth of plants in sea- water. He 

 found the red sea-plants grew best in glass cases colored green, and that 

 green Conferva; were thus destroyed. Mr. Huxley made some remarks on 

 the general theory of harmony and adaptation in nature. He thought 

 naturalists were too much disposed to take it for granted that beauty was 

 an end in creation. He believed, on the contrary, that grotesqueness was 

 frequently an object, and that inharmonious and inapposite colors and 

 forms were purposely brought together, and thus excited the feeling of 



