OF ORGANIZATION. 213 



multiplied petals only, in the place of the organs es 

 sential to the propagation of the species; and in 

 certain circumstances, the whole flower itself is re- 

 placed by a gemma or bud (26), when the plant 

 which bears it is termed viviparous. 



So with respect to the appropriate organization of 

 particular plants. Each species is naturally furnished 

 with flowers, of a determinate structure, having a cer- 

 tain number of stamens and pistils, as well as of divi- 

 sions or parts in their integuments, all which are con- 

 nected together, in an appropriate mode, in every 

 flower. But circumstances sometimes cause an alter- 

 ation, frequently in the comparative number of such 

 parts or divisions, though very rarely in their mode 

 of connexion. 



Such are accidental variations, which a competent 

 degree of attention and caution in the observer will 

 enable him to guard against. Their study, cautiously 

 pursued, may often throw light on those more perma- 

 nent diversities of structure, which occupy the studies 

 of the profound botanist, and of which I would now 

 attempt somewhat of a comparative view. 



In general, the aberrations of Nature in plants bear 

 a considerable analogy to her accidental variations, 

 but are, of course, much more diversified and exten- 

 sive. Thus, in tribes very nearly akin, a correspond- 

 ing number in the parts of fructification is found 

 liable to many more exceptions than a similarity of 

 connexion or insertion. In the Caryophyllece, J uss. 82 



