HO THE FLOWERING PLANT. 



monstrosities {e.g., among roses) that the receptacle keeps on growing for 

 some time, even ending in a second flower. 



II. The sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels are considered to be leaves 

 for the following reasons: — (i.) Like foliage leaves, they are lateral mem- 

 bers, developed acropetally on an axis from which they differ in shape. 

 (2.) They are arranged like foliage leaves, i.e., spirally or in whorls. 

 (3.) As already stated, certain normal flowers present gradations from 

 ordinary leaves, through bracts to sepals, petals, and stamens. (4.) In 

 abnormal or monstrous flowers, which are especially common in cultiva- 

 tion, the gap between stamens and carpels is bridged over by transitions. 

 It also appears that any one kind of floral leaf is capable of either partial 

 or complete metamorphosis into any other kind. "Double" flowers 

 are the best examples. In them stamens, or stamens and carpels, 

 become transformed into petals. (5.) All the various kinds of floral leaf 

 may, in abnormal specimens, be green in colour, and shaped more or less 

 like foliage leaves. The most interesting cases are those where, as in 

 double-flowering cherry, the carpels are in the form of small green leaves, 

 some quite flat and others partly folded. (6.) Very rarely a bud may 

 make its appearance in the axil of a petal or stamen, giving proof of its 

 leaf nature. 



III. Nectaries are not found in flowers alone, but may be "extra- 

 floral " and variously situated. 



