19 



liable to this defect, which disqualifies plants for competition in flower shows ; 

 and the florists have invented a name for the defective flowers. The stigma 

 resembling in size and shape the head of a pin, and in the defective state being 

 the only object visible in the centre of the corolla, the flowers are known as 

 " pin-headed." 



I have observed that this pin-headed state occurs most frequently 

 in single flowers of P. vulgaris, the remaining flowers of the same umbel 

 being perfect. In the specimens on the wall you will see that it is found in the 

 coloured as well as the ordinary states of the flower. In the more advanced 

 stages, I have found the whole of the umbel in the same state, i.e., all the 

 flowers on the scape having the stamens full grown or else all being abortive. 

 It is most frequent of all in the Cowslip, and that fact goes, I think, some 

 way to justify my theory of that flower being the result of the declining energy 

 of the species. The failure of the stamens to reach their normal length seems 

 to suggest a failure of vital energy. The precise cause of this failure I have not 

 been able to discover, but its frequent recurrence shows plainly that it is a 

 case of the working of some general law, which is either unknown or not 

 suspected to bear on such cases. I shall, therefore, be grateful for any facts from 

 the experience of other observers, which may tend to clear up the mystery. 



f 



The paper was illustrated by a number of dried and pressed specimens, 

 all mounted on paper, which Mr. Edmunds afiBxed to the wall of the dining- 

 room. The first set consisted of specimens of P. vulgaris, with yellow, and the 

 same with dark purple flowers ; of wild polyanthus ; of P. elatior (oxlip) ; of 

 various intermediate forms, and of P. veris. The next set consisted of 

 specimens of P. vulgaris with sessile umbel of flowers, and with the umbel 

 elevated in various degrees, showing the rudiments of a scape. The third set 

 illustrated the abortive development explained in the paper, and consisted 

 of specimens of P. vulgaris, P. elatior, and P. veris with stamens abortive, and 

 other specimens in which they had reached the normal position. Mr. Edmunds 

 explained that he had gathered and prepared all the specimens as illustra- 

 tions of the paper. 



Mr. Fowler remarked that he had found the dark-coloured primroseB 

 growing near Dymock. 



Dr. HoLL expressed his agreement with Mr. Edmunds as to the variouB 

 forms of Primula forming really but one species. 



Several other members also intimated their concurrence. 



Mr. Lees said that it seemed to be always expected by the members 

 that when he and his friend Mr. Edmunds met, there would be a difference of 

 pinion; and indeed it had so happened on former occasions— (a laugh) -when 

 there was a much greater diversity between them than at present. He had felt 

 greatly iaterested with Mr. Edmunds' paper, which he thought a most ingenious 

 one. He felt much obliged to him for his facts, although he felt bound to add 

 that he utterly rejected his theory (laughter). He could not for a moment 



