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er, the multiplicate flower, and the pro- i specified elsewhere, those parts re- 

 liferous flower. [quired for the extra elaboration, are 



The lull flower is a flower with its developed at the expense of those not 

 petals augmented in number by the to- demanded for the purpose, 

 tal transformation into them of its sta- i The chief office of the petals is this 

 mens and its pistils. One-petalled preparation of nourishment for the sta- 

 flowers rarely undergo this metamor- , mens, and for the most part they fade 

 phosis, but it is very common in those together, usually enduring until im- 

 having many petals, as in the carnation, pregnation has been eff'ected, or has 

 ranunculus, rose, and poppy. But this altogether failed. In double flowers, 

 is not the only mode in which a flower too, as was observed by the late Sir J. 

 becomes full, for in the columbine (/IgMj- , E. Smith, the corolla is much more 

 legia) it is effected in three different durable than in single ones of the same 

 ways, viz., by the multiplication of pe- species, as anemones and poppies, be- 

 tals to the exclusion of the nectaries; ! cause as he conceived, in such double 

 by the multiplication of the nectaries flowers the natural function not being 

 to the exclusion of the petals; and by j performed, the vital principle of their 



the multiplication of the nectaries, 

 whilst the usual petals remain. 



Radiated flowers, such as the sun- 

 flower, dahlia, anthemis, and others, 

 become full by the multiplication of the 

 florets of their rays to the exclusion of 

 the florets of their disk. On the con- 

 trary, various species of the daisy, ma- 

 tricaria, &c., become full by the mul- 

 plication of the florets of the disk. 



The multiplicate flower has its petals 



corolla is not so soon exhausted. Ad- 

 vantage may be taken of this to prolong 

 the duration of flowers by cutting away 

 the pistils or stamens, whichever are 

 least conspicuous, with a sharp pair of 

 pointed scissors. 



Although an abundant supply of nou- 

 rishment is absolutely necessary for the 

 production of double flowers, it is quite 

 as certain that such supply will not of 

 a certainty cause their appearance ; 



increased by the conversion of a portion i there must be some tendency in the pa- 

 of its stamens, or of its calyx, in those 1 rent thus to sport, otherwise the super- 



forms. It occurs most frequently in 

 polypetalous flowers. Linna;us gives 

 the only instances I know of the con- 

 version of the calyx into petals, and 

 these are to be observed in the pink 



fluity of food will not have the desired 

 influence. That abundance of nourish- 

 ment is necessary, appears from the fact 

 that if the double daisy or the double 

 narcissus be grown in a poor soil, they 



(Dianthus caryophyllus), and a few of ^ speedily produce none but single flow- 



the Alpine grasses. 



ers ; yet if they again be restored to a 



A proliferous flower has another rich soil, they may with care be made to 

 flower or a shoot produced from it, as [ produce an unnatural profusion of petals. 

 in the variety of the daisy popularly Mr. D. Beaton's estimate of a double 

 known as the hen-and-chickens. It flower is original. He says that cultiva- 

 occurs also more rarely in the ranuncu- ' tion having enlarged all the parts of a 

 lus, pink, marigold, and hawkweed. A plant, the constitutional vigour thus ob- 

 jeafy shoot often appears in the bosom ' tamed is transferred to the next genera- 

 of the double-blossomed cherry, ane- tion, and to some of the seedlings, in a 

 mone, and rose. measureevengreaterthan that possessed 



A due supply of moisture, but rather by the parent. Extraordinary supplies 

 less than the plant most delights in, ! of nourishment under favourable cir- 

 when the production of seed is the de- cumstanccs, invigorate still further the 

 sired object, a superabundant supply of ' improved race, and so on through many 

 decomposingorganic matter to its roots, generations. During this time cultiva- 

 and an exposure to the greatest possible ! tion produces the very opposite of dou- 

 degree of sun-light, are the means sue- ble flowers, and Mr. Beaton thinks it 

 cessfully employed to promote that ex- would continue to do so, if it were pos- 

 cessive development of the petals which sible to keep up every member of each 

 characterize double flowers. generation to the same degree of health 



By these means a greater quantity of and vigour ; but accidents and diseases 

 sap is supplied to the flower than the : overtake some of the plants, and double 

 natural extent of the petal can elabo- I flowers are the produce from the decre- 

 rate ; and following the laws of nature pits. Cultivation, according to this idea. 



