954 



the following deviations from the typical form. In the first place, al- 

 terations in the carpellary whorl, with normal formation of the other 

 whorls ; secondly, alterations in the whorls of both carpels and sta- 

 mens, with normal or but slightly irregular arrangement of the peri- 

 gonium ; thirdly, alterations in all the whorls, with the formation of 

 simple leaves ; and fourthly, alterations in all the whorls, with pro- 

 gressive central restoration of flowers. From a comparison of mon- 

 strous plants in all their phases with the allied normal forms, their 

 morphological interpretation is ascertained. It follows, that Thesium 

 intermedium which is injured by vEcidium in the formation of the 

 stem, attains a higher grade of development, and herein approaches 

 nearest to the character of Osyris ; and further, that it also, in regard 

 to the production of flowers, stands partly upon a higher scale, and 

 herein approaches to the New Holland forms. From the conforma- 

 tion of monstrous flowers it follows : 1. That the perigonium is ca- 

 pable of a gradual transformation into vegetative leaves ; but that 

 the whorls of stamens and carpels retain their characters with greater 

 tenacity, and rather perish than become transformed into vegetative 

 leaves. 2. That the disc disappears with the failure of the stamens, 

 and does not remain like an expansion or margin round the bud ge- 

 nerated in the interior of the perigonium ; therefore, there is either 

 no special expansion of the axis, or in case this takes place, the ex- 

 pansion is constantly merged in the elongation of the axis." 



Peucedanum Oreoselinum. — "On the stem, at a certain height, 

 were observed a quantity of umbelliferous rays, from thirty to forty, 

 which surrounded the stem in a circle ; the involucra were trans- 

 formed into compound leaves. The elongated stem bore a many- 

 lobed bract, from whose axil a single distinct umbel proceeded. 

 The summit of the stem terminated in an ordinary compound umbel. 

 The author therefore believed that in the umbel one ray always re- 

 presents the axis." 



" Peloria of Calceolaria crenatifolia, described by E. Meyer. 

 The Peloria of this plant presented a bell-shaped tube, and an in- 

 verted, funnel-shaped, four-cleft limbus. The pistil was perfect, and 

 developed without the slightest deviation from the normal standard ; 

 but the stamens were wanting altogether, without the slightest trace 

 of the situation where they should have grown. The author proceeds 

 to explain the Peloria in the following manner : in the natural corol- 

 la both stamens stand below the short upper lip ; the lower lip on 

 that account appears larger and more vividly coloured, because no 

 stamens arise from it. Should the stamens now be taken completely 



