112 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



neighbouring ones : this flower is larger than ordinarily, 

 and almost regular; its calyx, corolla, and stamens 

 present every number, from the natural one to double 

 that number. 



An analogous phenomenon appears to take place in 

 some Tomatoes {Ly coper sicum). Dunal has shown in 

 detail, that the singular appearance of these ovaries, 

 and the multiplication of their cells, so contrary to 

 the ordinary state of the Solaneas, results from the 

 flowers being formed by the union of several. 



There are some plants, where the union of the 

 flowers only takes place by the calyces, which, in this 

 case, are themselves adherent with the ovaries and 

 bracts : tins happens in Gundelia and Opercularia, and 

 changes these capitula, composed of several flowers, into 

 a mass, where during flowering we perceive the corollas 

 distinct, but where we find apparently only a multi- 

 locular fruit resulting from the union of all the partial 

 ones. We shall revert to this subject on speaking of 

 Fruits. 



Section XIV. 



Of the absolute Number of the Parts of each Floral 



Verticil. 



We have seen that flowers are composed of pieces 

 disposed in several concentric verticils, and that (with 

 some exceptions) the pieces of each verticil alternate 

 with those of the preceding ; whence it results, that 

 if we omit irregularities from partial abortions, the 



