in the Lycopodiacese, Equisetacese, &c. 437 



(2). The whorl of 4, by suppression of the alternate whorls 

 and alternate leaves, gives the phyllotaxis = ^. Reduction of 

 75 per cent, of leaves. 



(3). The whorl of 8 leaves, by suppression of the alternate 

 whorls, and of of the remaining leaves, might give rise to the 

 well-known phyllotaxis = f . Reduction of 83 per cent, of 

 leaves. 



It may be supposed by some that the plants, having got rid 

 of superfluous leaves, expended the surplus vitality thus acquired 

 in perfecting their flowers and fruit into higher types ; but if 

 this be so, how are we to account for the retention of the 

 whorled structure in the floral organs ? 



The calyx, corolla, and stamens of Exogens and Endogens 

 obey the law of alternate whorls, when definite ; but the pistil 

 in many cases progresses into the spiral type. When the carpels 

 are few and definite, they form a whorl ; but where indefinite, 

 as in Ranunculus, Myosurus, and Magnolia, and such like cases, 

 they are as strictly spiral as leaves. Also, in monstrous roses, 

 we have the pistils returning to the condition of leaves, green, 

 cut, and spirally arranged. 



II. Equisetaceae. 



1. Equisetum alpestre. Norway (North). Sheath whorls al- 

 ternate, 4 in each. Branch whorls 7 in each. 



2. E. (sp.). Ceylon. Sheath whorls alternate, 16 in each. 

 Branch whorls (irregular), 1 in each. Fruit whorls 10-13 in 

 number, alternate hexagons, 10 in each. 



3. E. (sp.). Nilghiri Hills, S. India. Sheath whorls alter- 

 nate, 24 in each. Ditto (upper part of plant) 8 in each. Branch 

 whorls (irregular), 1-3 in each. Fruit whorls ]0-12 in num- 

 ber, alternate hexagons, 8 in each. 



4. E. elongatum. Mount Sarial, Georgia. Sheath whorls 

 alternate, 12-14 in each. Fruit whorls 10 in each. Branch 

 whorls 8 in each. 



5. E. (sp.). Western Texas and New Mexico. Sheath whorls 

 alternate, 24-30 in each. 



6. E. arvense. Providence, Rhode Island ; and Berne. Sheath 

 whorls alternate, 8 in each. Fruit whorls (12-14 in number) 

 alternate, 8 in each. Branch whorls 8 in each. 



7. E. limosum. Providence, Rhode Island. Sheath whorls 

 alternate, 14-16 in each. Fruit whorls (12 in number) alternate, 

 16 in each. Branch whorls 0-10 in each. 



8. E. (sp.). Ipswich, Massachusetts. Sheath whorls alter- 

 nate, 12 in each. Fruit whorls 12 in each. 



9. E. sylvaticum. Ipswich, Massachusetts. Sheath whorls 

 alternate, 12 in each. Branch whorls 10 in each. 



