THE PLAN OF THE FLOWER. 



8T 



spur the V flowers have but four petals, and in rnonk's-liood, also v/, tho petals aro 

 apparently but two strangely deformed bodies. A careful inspection, however, 

 generally reveals the other tl^ree, very minute, in their proper places, as displayed 

 In the cut. (283.) 



427. " Organs opposite" is a condition much less frequent than " organs alter- 

 nate," but is highly interesting, as being sometimes characteristic of whole families. 

 Thus in the primrose, thrift, and buckthorn families, tho stamens always stand op- 

 posite to the petals 1 



428. How HArPENS this ? Among tho prim worts this question is solved in the 

 flowers of Lysimachia and Samolus, where we find a circle of five teeth (abortive 

 filaments) between the petals and stamens, alternating with botli sets, thus restoring 

 the lost symmetry. Hence we infer that in such cases generally a circle of alter- 

 nating organs has been either partially or wholly suppressed. la the buckthorn, 

 however, a different explanation has been given. 



Diagrams. 272, Flower of Samolus, showing tho rudimentary stamens alternating with the 

 perfect. 273, Flower of a Libiate plant, showing the place of the. deficient stamen. 274. Flower 

 of Asarum; three sepals, twelve stamens, etc. 275, Flower of Saxifrage ; two pistils, ten sta- 

 mens, etc. 



429. The multiplication* of organs is exceedingly common, and usually ac- 

 cording to a definitj plan. Tho increase takes place, as a rule, by circles, and con- 

 sequently by multiples. That is, e. g., tho stamens of a V flower, if increased, wiH 

 bo so by 3s; of a'V flower by 5s, etc., sometimes to tho extent of twenty such, 

 circles. 



430. Crowfoots and roseworts. In tho crowfoot family tho stamens are al- 

 most always multiplied. Tho carpels are also generally multiplied, yet often, on tho 

 contrary, diminished, as in tho pseony. In Rosacese, also, the stamens are generally 

 multiplied, while the carpels exist in all conditions as to number. Thus in straw- 

 berry they aro multiplied, in tho apple they aro regularly five, in agrimony reduced 

 to two, and in the cherry to one. 



431. Other cases. In Magnolia tho V flowers have three sepals in one circle, 

 six or nine petals in two or three circle?, numerous stamens and carpels in many 

 circles of each. In tho V flowers or blood-root there aro two sepals, eight petals, 

 twenty-four stamens, and two carpels. 



432. Increment by clusters (chorisis). In other cases tho organ? seem to bo 

 increased in number by clusters rather than by circles, as when in tho same circle 

 several stamens stand in tho place of one, e. g., in squirrel-corn, st. johuswort, lin- 

 den. Such cases afford wido scope for conjecture. Perhaps each cluster originates 

 by division, as the compound from tho simple leaf; or as a tuft of axillary leaves ; 

 or thirdly, by a partial union of organs. 



433. Appendicular organs (§ 407) consist of spurs, scales, crown, 

 glands, etc., and often afford excellent distinctive marks. The old term 



