230 NATURAL HISTORY. 



This metamorphosis is technically called descending or retrograde where 

 the floral parts, i e., petals or stamens or carpels become degenerated and 

 are transformed into a leaf. This can be easily explained from the homo- 

 logous nature of the different parts of a flower to the leaf. A flower in its 

 widest sense is a multiple arrangement of modified or altered leaves. 

 "Linnaeus f aught it, and Goethe proved it," says Lindley. He mentions an 

 instance from the Gardener's Chronicle, in which a Rose is said to have its 

 calyx tube absorbed, at least not manifest ; the sepals half converted into 

 leaves; the petals more than ba'f changed into sepals ; the stamens fallen 

 off, apparently little changed; the exterior carpels partly in their customary 

 state ; those nearer the centre converted into small leaves ; but the remainder 

 upon the axis or centre, which bad lengthened into a branch, carried up in 

 every conceivable state of transition, until the last or uppermost carpel 

 assumed the customary appearance of the leaves of the stem. A beautiful 

 illustration is also given by Lindley at p. 63 of his "Elements" above 

 referred to. 



The most highly modified leaves of the flower, says Sachs, " are the stamens 

 and carpels." By a freak of nature they may not develop into stamens or 

 carpels, or the stamens and carpels may degenerate into leaves at any time. 

 But though such instances are numerous, they constitute merely a pheno- 

 menal tiansition of an exceptioral kind, not necessary for the completion 

 of the life-history of a plant. The floral axis as a general rule ceases to grow 

 at the apex as soon as the sexual organs make their appearance, or even 

 earlier. But in singular or abnormal rases like the one exhibited by 

 Mr. Rose, and normally in Gycas, says Sachs, " the apical growth of the floral 

 axis ! ecommences, again produces leaves, and sometimes even a new 

 flower." 



K. R. R. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY DURING 

 THE QUARTER. 



The usual monthly meeting of this Society took place on Monday 

 the 5th of July, and was largely attended. Dr. D. MacDonald presided. 



The following new members were elected : — Mr. E. C. K. 011 ; vant, 

 Mr. J. A Betbam, Dr. 0. H. Channer, Mr. Frank Rose, Mr. F. Chambers, 

 Mr. H. Bromley, Mr. W. J. Holland, Mr. T. B. Fry, Mr. J. H. Steel, 

 Colonel F. W. Major, Mr. Chester Macnaghten, Mr. H. E. An^rewes, 

 Mr. J. Maguire, Mr. G. A. Anderson, Rev. J. E. Abbott, Mr. Cowasji 

 M. Dadabhoy, and Dr. Temuljee B. Nariman. Mr. L. de Niceville, of the 

 Calcutta Museum, was elected an honorary corresponding member of the 

 Society. 



