1853.] Linnean Society. 217 



the table as distinctly proving that an increased number of leaves 

 and buds is a general character of fasciated stems. M. Moquin 

 Tandon himself has, indeed, referred to an instance in Bupleurum 

 falcatum where the leaves had been whorled, doubtless, Mr. Hincks 

 observes, from those belonging to two or more stems being collected 

 together. The 3rd argument he regards as very deceptive, for the 

 nature of the transverse section presented by coherent stems must 

 depend not only on the intimacy of their union, but also on the in- 

 ternal structure of the stems themselves. When two flowers adhere 

 without much pressure, they exhibit uniting circles somewhat re- 

 sembling a figure of 8, but when more completely combined they 

 have one circumference of a much- elongated figure, and something 

 similar is to be expected in herbaceous stems. Even the elongated 

 pith of a transversely cut woody fasciated stem only marks the inti- 

 mate union of several branches ; and the author has noticed instances 

 of the union of two and only two stems when the internal appear- 

 ance was the same as in other fasciations. The 4th objection is 

 derived from the improbability of the lateral union of many stems ; 

 but in addition to the common examples of the union of two stems, 

 the author appealed to a distinct case of a union of four flower-stems 

 of Scrophularia aquatica so complete that a composite flower was 

 formed containing all the parts of the four component flowers, and 

 produced a fasciated stem of Ranunculus bulbosus, where the union 

 of several stems terminated in a flower having at least double the 

 usual number of parts, as indisputable evidence of the fact. He also 

 laid before the Meeting examples of numerous branches laterally 

 arranged as if ready to combine, in immediate connexion with fas- 

 ciated stems, which, according to his view, are made up of similar 

 branches already combined. To the 5th and last objection he 

 answers that cases in which the adherence is incomplete, and on 

 which the marks of fusion of several stems are to be perceived, are 

 in fact frequently met with, and may be appealed to as strong direct 

 evidence in favour of the Linnean theory. A striking example is 

 given in DeCandolle's ' Organographie Vegetale ' (pi. 3. f. 1) in a 

 stem of Spartium junceum having several branches only imperfectly 

 fasciated ; and similar specimens of Aucuba Japonica and Cotoneaster 

 microphylla were exhibited, together with a fasciated Ash, in which 

 the traces of numerous stems were observable upon the surface. 



The author stated his conclusion to be, " that the fasciated stem 

 is best explained from the principle of adherence, where, from super- 

 abundant nourishment, especially if accompanied by some check or 

 injury, numerous buds have been produced in close proximity ; and 



Proceedings of the Linnean Society. 



