248 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



193 



flower is then said to be luxuriant ; and comprises the three following varieties : the mul- 

 tiplicate, the full, and the proliferous flower. 



1612. The multiplicate flower is sometimes, though rarely, occasioned by an unusual multiplication of 

 the divisions of the calyx, as in DiAnthus Caryophyllus, and some of the alpine grasses. But the anomaly 

 most generally consists in the undue multiplication of the divisions of the corolla, by theconversion of part 

 of the stamens into petals, which is occasionally to be met w th both in monopetalous and polypetalous 

 flowers. It occurs but seldom, however, in flowers growing in their natural state and habit, though now 

 and then a double flower is met with even in such circumstances. 



1613. The full flower is generally described to be that in which the divisions of the corrolla are so mul- 

 tiplied as to exclude the stamens and pistils wholly by means of their conversion into petals ; which con- 

 version is most readily effected in polypetalous flowers, such as the tulip, poppy, pink, and ranunculus ; mo- 

 nopetalous flowers seldom being found full. This complete metamorphosis is always either the effect of 

 cultivation, or of some concurrence of natural circumstances analogous to it, and is indeed one of the 

 principal objects of the art of the florist; the beauty of the flower, according to general estimation, being 

 thus much augmented. In the full flower the stamens are almost always converted into petals, whence we 

 should perhaps infer their identity of origin. But the pistil is often converted into a leaf, as may be seen 

 by inspecting the flower of the double-blossomed cherry, which generally protrudes from the centre a leaf 

 in miniature. But a flower may become full also by the multiplication of the parts of the nectary, as is 

 sometimes the case in the genus Aquilfegia, which produces full 



flowers in three diflTerent ways : by the multiplication of the petals 

 to the exclusion of the nectaries ; by the multiplication of the 

 nectaries to tlie exclusion of the petals; and by the multiplication 

 of the nectaries while the proper petals remain. There are also 

 some peculiarities in the manner in which compound flowers 

 become full. Radiated flowers become full sometimes by the 

 multiplication of the floscules of the ray to the exclusion of 

 the floscules of the disk, as in Helianthus, J'nthemis, and Cen- 

 taurta ; and sometimes by the multiplication of the floscules of 

 the disk to the exclusion of those of the ray, as in Matricaria and 

 ^ellis. 



1614. The proliferous flower (fig. 193.) is that out of which 

 another flower or another shoot is produced. It is seldom 

 found but in flowers already full; from the centre of which, 

 that is, from the ovary or pistil, it sometimes happens that a 

 new flower and foot-stalk is produced, if the flower is simple, as 

 in the ranunculus, anemone, and pink ; or several flowers and 

 foot-stalks issuing from the common calyx, if the flower is com- 

 pound, as in the daisy, hawkweed, and marigold ; or a new 

 umbel issuing from the centre of the original umbel, if the 

 flower is umbellate, as in C6rnus. 



1615. Various anomalies. Sometimes the proliferous issue of the full flower is not itself a flower, but a 

 shoot furnished with leaves, as has been sometimes, though rarely, observed in the case of the anemone 

 and rose. Such are the several varieties of luxuriant flowers, constituting anomalies of excess : but it 

 sometimes happens that there is also in the flower an anomaly of defect in the absence of one of its parts. 

 Examples of this sort are occasionally to be met with in the flowers of Cheiranthus Che'iri, Campanula 

 pentagbnia, and Tussilago aiiindria, in which the corolla is altogether wanting, though proper to the 

 species ; and in this case the flower is said to be mutilated. Sometimes the anomaly consists in the situa- 

 tion of the flower, which is generally protruded from the extremity or sides of tlie branches; but the flower 

 of the Tfuscus is protruded from the surface of the leaf Or it may consist in the relative situation of the 

 several parts of the flower. In simple flowers, the pistil is invariably central with regard to the stamens ; 

 but in compound flowers the pistils are often situated in the circumference and the stamens in the centre. 

 This seems to be the case, also, with some monoecious plants, having their flowers on the same peduncle, 

 as in the example of the C^irex and ^^rum, in which the stamens are more central than the pistils. Some- 

 times the anomaly consists in the color of the corolla, which will often deviate even in the same species. 

 The general colour of the common cowslip (Primula vferis) is a bright yellow; but an individual is occa- 

 sionally to be met with, though very rarely, in which the limb or expansion of the corolla is purple with a 

 line of yellow around the border. Sometimes the anomaly consists in the time of flowering. The season 

 proper for the flowering of the apple and pear tree is the month of May; but trees of that sort have been 

 known to protrude both buds and blossoms even in the month of November. Some plants, however, blow 

 only in the winter, as in the case of the laurustinus and J'rbutus L^nedo; while others blow only in the 

 night, and refuse to expand their petals to the light of thq sun. Such is the case of the Cactus grandiflbra, 

 that produces one of the most magnificent of flowers, but blows only in the night ; and is hence known 

 also by the appellation of the night-blowing cereus. Some plants, ^^'^^^^g^'^. i 04 

 such as the A'lgse, and i^iingi, are altogether destitute of con- -#^,^^*=*?^^^'^ ^ ^ ^^ 

 spicuous flowers ; and are hence called Cryptogamous. The ^ 

 flower of the fig is perhaps one of the most singular in respect of 1 

 concealment. The flowers of perfect plants, which, in other cases, 

 uniformly precede the fruit, are in this case concealed 

 within what is generally denominated the fruit; as may be 

 proved by cutting open a green fig (fig. 194.) by means of a lon- 

 gitudinal section passing through its axis. Great numbers of 

 flowers are then discovered lining a sort of cavity in the axis of 

 the fruit; and hence what is called the fruit or fig, in common 



language, is rather the receptacle of the flower than any thing ^ 



else. Most plants have their flowers furnished both with stamens and pistils, and are hence hermaphro- 

 dites. But there are also many genera that have the stamens in one flower and the pistilsin another, both 

 on the same individual : these are denominated Monoecious plants, and are exemplified in the oak and 

 hazel. Other genera have the flowers with stamens on one plant, and the flowers with pistils on another : 

 these are denominated Dioecious, and are exemplified in the hop and willow. Others have unisexual 

 flowers of each kind on one and the same plant, as in Monoecia; on separate plants, as in Dioecia ; and 

 on others mixed with those which are hermaphrodite : these are ^Jenominated Polyga?nous, and are ex- 

 emplified in the genus ^'triplex. In a species of Euterpe, found on the island of Bourbon, the flowers are 

 visible eight years before they are expanded. The summit is formed of twelve leaves, each supplied with 

 a bunch of flowers in its axilla. Three leaves only expand each year, so that four years will have elapsed 

 between the expansion of the first flowers and of the last, although even the former were discoverable 

 four, and the latter eight, years previously. (London Encyc, art. Botany.) 



1616. The fruit. The anomalies of the fruit may affect either its number, figure, 

 colour, or appendages. 



1617. The common hazel-nut produces in general but one kernel in one shell ; but in the course ot 

 opening a considerable number, you will now and then meet with one containing two or three kernels in 

 a shell. This is, perhaps, best accounted for by supposing, with Du Hamel, that it is the result of an un- 

 natural graft effected in the bud ; though some think that the shell does always contain the rudiments ot 



