96 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



§ 2. — The Multiplication of Parts of a Verticil. 



The second kind of multiplication of the floral organs 

 is that where the usual number of the parts of a verticil 

 or row is increased. This may take place in different 

 ways : — 



1st. The absolute number of all the verticils of a 

 flower may be augmented by the addition of one or two 

 pieces to each : thus, it is not rare to find flowers of the 

 Colchicum with seven or eight lobes, and as many 

 stamens ; flowers of the Rue and Philadelphus with 

 sometimes four, at others five parts, &c. In these cases 

 we must first examine if it be not the higher number 

 which is the usual state, and then the diminution of 

 number is classed among the cases of abortion ; but in 

 the contrary case, the multiplication appears to result 

 from the natural union of two flowers, as I have else- 

 where explained. 



2d. In the place of an organ apparently single, but in 

 reality composed of several intimately united, we may 

 accidentally find them becoming free. Dunal made 

 known a curious example of this in Laurus nobilis. We 

 know that the stamens of this tree have on each side of 

 the lower part of their filaments a glandular bifid body, 

 borne on a short filament intimately united to that of 

 the stamen ; it appears that this body is an abortive 

 stamen, and consequently that of the Laurel is a bundle 

 of three united, the two lateral ones being abortive : it 

 happens, in fact, that the three stamens are sometimes 

 developed, and the whole number is found tripled, and 

 none of them bears the glandular body on its filament. 

 Several peculiar facts of the history of polyadelphous 

 flowers appear to coincide more or less clearly with this 

 example, which may be considered a complication of 

 union and abortion. 



