360 INCREASED NUMBEK. 



there were no less than 227 cones, but each one half 

 the size of the ordinary cones. ^ 



Of a similar character is the many-headed pine-apple. 

 Among grasses such a branching of the inflorescence 

 is exceedingly common, which is the more readily 

 understood as the normal inflorescence is in so many 

 cases paniculate. Cultivators have, in some instances, 

 availed themselves of this peculiarity, as in the Egyptian 

 wheat or corn of abundance {Trlticum compositum), 

 certain varieties of Maize, etc. Similar exuberant 

 growths occur in Orchidacecef in Cyperaceoe, e. g. Garex^ 

 in Bestiaccce, and indeed they may be found in any plant 

 with a similar form of inflorescence. In all these cases 

 the branching begins at the lower part of the spike, and 

 extends from below upwards in an indefinite manner, 

 even although the primary inflorescence be definite. 



Among the Equisetaccce a similar plurality of spikes 

 occurs often as a result of mutilation.^ The deviation 

 in question might in some instances be turned to good 

 account, as in the Triticum before mentioned or as in the 

 broccoU shown at fig. 182, though it must be added that 

 the apparent advantages are often counterpoised by some 

 undesirable qualities or by some circumstance which 

 prevents us avaihng ourselves of the new condition. 



Multiplication of Bulbs. This occurrence has been briefly 

 alluded to previously (see p. 84). The most curious 

 cases are those in which one bulb is placed on the top 

 of another as happened in some bulbs of Leucoium 

 (pstivum described by M. Gay."'' Irmisch described a 

 similar phenomenon in L. vernum ; and Mr. Moggridge 

 has communicated drawings of a similar formation in 

 the same species grown in the neighbourhood of 

 Mentone. 



I Cited in ' Bull. Soc. Bot. Pr.,' xiv, p. 265. 



Duval Jouve, ' Hist. Nat. Equieet. Fr.,' tab. 8, also Milde, ' Nov. Act. 

 Acad. Nat. Cur.,' t. xxvi, part 2. For branched inflorescence of orchids, 

 see ' Reichenbach Proc. Lond. Bot. Congress,' 1866, p. 121. 



' 'Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr.,' vi, 266, vii, 457. Irmisch, Knollen und 

 Zwiebelgew.,' tab. 7, figs. 10, 11. 



