ASPARAGUS BERRIES. 181 



of which ever actually bear perfect flowers. But so far 

 as its blossom is concerned, the asparagus stands nearer 

 to the prime ancestor than does the butcher's broom ; for 

 it still possesses three distinct calyx-pieces and three 

 petals ; whereas in its ally all six parts have long since 

 grown quite indistinguishable ; and in the minor details 

 of the stamens and pistil the asparagus also retains more 

 markedly than its ally the common ancestral traits. 

 Hence we cannot say that one form has been actually 

 derived from the other ; both are rather divergent de- 

 scendants of a single central ancestor, whose Deculiarities 

 each has modified in a different direction. 



