FLOWER-STALKS. 435 



MM. Clos and De Sclionefeld have recorded the ex- 

 istence of a variety of the sweet chestnut (Cadanea) in 

 which the female catkins were as long, and bore nearly 

 as many flowers, as the male spikes. This is stated to 

 be of constant occurrence in some localities, and to 

 be accompanied by a diminished size of the fruits. A 

 similar elongation has been observed in the case of the 

 walnut, catkins of which have been seen bearing thirty 

 to thirty-five large nuts.^ 



In the strobile of the hop, Humulus Lupulus, a like 

 elongation may sometimes be met with, generally in 

 association with a more or less leafy condition of some 

 of the scales. 



Of a similar character, but complicated with extru- 

 sion or e version of an ordinarily concave axis, is the 

 fig described by Zuccarini,^ and from the appearances 

 presented by which that author draws the inference 

 that the pecuUar appearance of the fig is due to the 

 formation of a large number of small bracts blended 

 together for the greater part of their length, and ac- 

 companied by the suppression of the intemodes, and 

 consequent shortening of the axis. In the monstrous 

 fruit the axis is prolonged, and forms a kind of raceme 

 or catkin, surrounded at the base by numerous bracts, 

 as in many Amentaceoe. (See p. 204, figs. 105, 106.) 



A lengthening of the axis of the female strobiles of 

 ConlferoB is not of infrequent occurrence in Crijptonicria 

 japomca, Larix europcea, &c., and this is usually asso- 

 ciated, as has been before stated, with a leaf-Uke con- 

 dition of the bracts, and sometimes even with the 

 development of leaf-bearing shoots in place of the 

 scales. (See under Prolification of Inflorescence and 

 Phyllomorphy, and for references, p. 115.) 



Elongation of the secondary flower-stalks. In the previous 

 section the efiect of elongation of the main rachis has 

 been considered. A corresponding deviation occurs in 



' *3un. SfK?. But. France,' t. i, 1854. p. 173, and t. xiii. p. 96. 

 ' Abhand). Math. Pbys. Class.,' Band, iv, Abhandl. i, tab. i. 



