﻿Stout: The Origin of Dw 





Discussion 



The dwarf type of Hibiscus oculiroseus constitutes a marked 

 and distinct variation from the usual robust type of the species. 

 It has smaller leaves, many of the leaves are crumpled, the inter- 

 nodes are shorter, and there is an increased development of bran- 

 ches. It is such group-differences as these that constitute the 

 elementary species of De Vries, for, as he states (1901, p. 176): 

 " Elementare Arten unterscheiden sich von ihren niichsten Ver- 

 wandten mehr oder weniger in alien ihren Merkmalen." All the 

 changes, however, are considered to be a result of a change in 

 the condition of a single pangen. 



It is difficult or impossible to describe such a mutation in 

 terms of definite characters that have been gained or lost. The 

 ordinary type of development of the leaves and internodes have 

 been modified mainly in the direction of arrested growth, while 

 the amount of branching has been increased, due chiefly to the 

 development of basal lateral buds that usually r 



In 



dormant, 

 with the robust type the characteristics of the 

 readily recognized, the general effect being 



