Extracts from the Minute-Book of the Linnean Society, 
C. Harrison, Esq. J. Murray, Jun., Esq. 
W. Harrison, Esq. W. Ogilby, Esq. 
The Rev. F. W. Hope. R. Owen, Esq. 
The Rev. L. Jenyns. P. J. Selby, Esq. 
—. Jesse, Esq. R. H. Solly, Esq. 
Rymer Jones, Esq. R. Taylor, Esq. 
W. H. Lloyd, Esq. 
W. Thompson, Esq. 
J. Martin, Esq. Dawson Turner, Esq. 
J. Milne, Esq. —. Van Voorst, Esq. 
J. Morgan, Esq. — Willimott, Esq. 
—. Moule, Esq. J. Wilson, Esq. 
J. Murray, Esq. 
691 
Dec. 3. 
VOL. XVIII. 
Read * Descriptions of some Vegetable Monstrosities“ By the 
Rev. W. Hincks, F.L.S. 
Two of these monstrosities occur in species of Iris. The first is 
in a flower of Iris versicolor, having 5 outer reflexed segments, 
4 inner upright segments, 5 stamens, 5 distinct stigmas, and a 
5-celled ovarium. It is evident that this superfluity of parts origin- 
ates in the union of two flowers: the line of junction of the flower- 
stalks may be distinctly traced ; and the composition of the ovarium 
is equally obvious, three of the carpels belonging to one flower and 
two to the other. Mr. Hincks states that this exactly corresponds 
with the case of some monstrous Œnotheræ, in which he has observed 
7 petals, 14 stamens, and 7 stigmas, but where no line of junction 
of the two flowers of which he supposes them to be made up is 
visible. In all these cases one part of each circle is sacrificed in the 
union of the two flowers, except in the inner segments of the Jris, 
where one part of each flower is lost. In the second case, occurring 
in a flower of Iris sambucina, 3 segments of the inner series only 
remain, while there are 5 parts in all the other circles: the line of 
junction is much less evident than in the former, but may be observed 
in the ovarium and tube of the perianthium. 
Mr. Hincks compares these cases with monstrosities in his collec- 
tion of Narcissus elatior and Salpiglossis straminea; in the former of 
which two flowers adhere, and are both perfect, the united petals 
and nectaries separating one from the other; while in the latter 
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