462 



ABORTION OP THE 



p. 347, fig. 179), a few less common illustrations may 

 be cited. In crocuses it is not a very uncommon cir- 

 cumstance to find the three inner segments of the 

 perianth smaller than natural, and generally imequal in 

 size. This occurs without any other perceptible change 

 in the flower. 



SchlechtendaP mentions a flower of Fritillaria *m- 

 perialis in which the perianthial leaves were relatively 

 very small, and destitute of the usual nectary, while 

 the stamens, on the other hand, were of their natural 

 size and appearance. Fresenius^ records a similar 

 occurrence in the same plant. 



Morren^ gives details of like appearances in Hymeno- 

 callis americana, and Delavaud* in Tigridia pavonia. 



In certain orchids an arrested development of the 

 perianth is habitual, as in Oncidium abortivum (fig. 

 217), where, on a large branching panicle, numerous 



Fig. 217. Flower of Oncidium ahortivrtm, magnified, 

 abortive, but few perfect, flowers are 'produced. 



In a 



similar way the petals and labellum of Odontoglossum 



' ' LinnsBa,' 1830, vol. v, p. 492. 



' ' Mus. Senkenb.,' ii, p. 45. 



' BuU. Acad. Roy. Belg.,' 1851. t. xviii, part i, p. 275. 



* ' Bwll. Soc. Hot. France,' vol. viii, 1861, p. 147. 



