Origin of Peloric Toadflax 487 



parts of the corolla could be repeated five-fold, 

 in which case there would be no spur, and no 

 orange hue on the upper corolla-ring. Such 

 forms really occur, though they seem to be more 

 rare than the five-spurred pelories. Very little 

 is known about their frequency and hereditary 

 qualities. 



Orchids include a large number of peloric 

 monstrosities and moreover a wild pelory 

 which is systematically described not only as a 

 separate species but even as a new genus. It 

 bears the name of Uropedium lindenii, and is 

 so closely related to Cypripedium caudatum 

 that many authors take it for the peloric variety 

 of this plant. It occurs in the wild state in 

 some parts of Mexico, where the Cypripedium 

 also grows. Its claims to be a separate genus 

 are lessened by the somewhat monstrous con- 

 dition of the sexual organs, which are described 

 as quite abnormal. But here also, interme- 

 diates are lacking, and this fact points to a 

 sudden origin. 



Many cases of pelorism afford promising ma- 

 terial for further studies of experimental muta- 

 tions. The peloric toad-flax is only the proto- 

 type of what may be expected in other cases. 

 No opportunity should be lost to increase the as 

 yet too scanty evidence on this point. 



