Extracts from the Minute-Booh of the Linnean Society. 493 



Nov. 16. Read "Descriptions of some Vegetable Monstrosities," by the Rev. 

 William Hincks, F.L.S., F.R.S.E. &c. &c. 



In this paper, which is a continuation of one read before the So- 

 ciety towards the close of the year 1839, and of which some account 

 is given at page 691 of the previous volume, Mr. Hincks arranges 

 the monsters described by him under the several heads of adherences, 

 transformations, and increased or diminished developments of parti- 

 cular parts. 



The adherences comprise, first, a case of the union of five grapes 

 into one fruit in so complete a manner as to render it probable that 

 the flowers were also united ; secondly, an instance of cohesion be- 

 tween four peduncles of Centaurea moschata, without fusion of their 

 capitula ; and thirdly, the common case of adherence of two flowers 

 of Fuchsia fulgens. The latter is introduced for the purpose of re- 

 marking how frequently, when the usual number of organs in a circle 

 results from the suppression of certain parts rudimentally present, 

 the same cause which produces adherence with the nearest flower, 

 also developes all the rudiments, and thus increases the number of 

 parts. On the other hand, in cases of union by fusion, that is, 

 where the united flowers form one enlarged flower, Mr. Hincks ob- 

 serves, that one organ at least is generally sacrificed at each point 

 of junction. 



Of transformations Mr. Hincks notices two : first, a terminal bud 

 of an Azalea, gathered about the period when the plant ceased to 

 produce blossoms, which is partially converted into a flower, the 

 leaves nearest the centre being imperfectly changed into stamina, 

 and surrounded by many of petaloid aspect, while the outer leaves 

 differ from the ordinary appearance only in having a little colour; 

 the organs are not arranged in circles, and one leaf only, and that 

 among the most remote from the centre, assumes the form of a 

 pistillum. The second transformation described occurs in a speci- 

 men of Gentiana campestris, in which all the parts of the flower are 

 converted into leaves, which are somewhat petaloid and crowded 



