.STRUCTURE.] MORPHOLOGY OF CONFLUENT FLOWERS. 79 



Milkworts (Polygala austriaca and chamaebuxus) . From all 

 these circumstances we may conclude that the irregularity 

 of the corolla, at least in the families cited in this note, is a 

 condition arising after the first appearance of the flower, and 

 is a consequence of an inequality of development among the 

 different parts which compose the floral envelope. (Comptes 

 rendus, June 8, 1846. Translated in the Annals of Natural 

 History, v. 18, by Mr. Henfrey.) 



D. Morphology of Confluent Flowers, by the Rev. Mr. 

 H hicks. Two of these monstrosities occur in species of Iris, 

 and much resemble each other. The species are I. versicolor, 

 and I. sambucina. They have five parts in each circle, ex- 

 cept that the inner circle of petals consists of four in one 

 instance, and only thVee in the other. It is sufficiently 

 manifest, that they are produced by the union of two flowers 

 to form each, and they lead to the conclusion that, when 

 Irises with four parts in each circle occur (which is not very 

 uncommon), they are unions of two flowers, one-third part of 

 each having perished in the junction. Various other mon- 

 strosities, consisting in the union of two flowers, are com- 

 pared with the subjects of the description, particularly some 

 of OEnothera, flowers having seven petals, fourteen stamens, 

 and seven stigmas, where the parts preserved in the union 

 are in exactly the same proportion as in the Irises. 



A third specimen is described as a monstrous union of four 

 flowers, in Scrophularia nodosa. The flower-stalk might be 

 perceived to be formed by the adherence of several stalks. 

 The parts found were fifteen sepals, sixteen petals, twenty 

 stamens, and separate ovaria, each with two carpels, and a 

 third ovarium formed by the adherence of two more, and 

 consisting of eight carpels. Mr. Hincks is of opinion that 

 the union of four flowers would account for these numbers 

 of parts. The increased development of the circle of stamens, 

 five appearing for each flower, though of these several are 

 united in threes together, and two are imperfect, and the 

 increased number of carpels in two of the united flowers, he 

 regards as interesting facts. He thinks that they show 

 that the union of the flowers had the effect of diminishing 



