GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 



At the end of many of the preceding sections, and 

 whenever the requirements of the case demanded it, a 

 brief summary of the main facts and of the inferences 

 to be derived from them has been given. It may be 

 useful to give in conclusion a few general remarks on 

 the whole subject. 



It wiU be seen from the numerous facts herein cited, 

 that the so-called monstrous formations (excluding 

 morbid growths the result of disease or injury) present 

 no peculiarities absolutely foreign to the normal 

 organisation of plants. The difference between the 

 natural and monstrous development is one of degree 

 and frequency of occurrence, not of kind. 



Deviations from the customary form have been 

 shown to arise from excessive or diminished growth, 

 or from arrested or exalted development. Even in 

 those instances where, for convenience' sake, the 

 term perverted development has been used, it must 

 be understood as applying only to the particular plant 

 or organ under consideration, as the form assumed is 

 perfectly in accordance with the ordinary conformation 

 of some other plant or group of plants. 



The period at which malformations occur is a 

 matter of some importance ; this is, indeed, implied in 

 the term arrest of development ; evolution goes on with 



