TRANSFORMATION OF CARPELS. 



301 



stalk corresponds with the rnidrih, and the two valves of the pod 

 are the two lobes of the leaf. Instances occasionally present 



FIG. 96 MONSTROSITY m THE PKA ; THK EDGES OF THE CAKPELS NOT UNITKD. 



themselves, in which this is seen more decidedly, from the want 

 of development of the ovules, and the non-closure of the pod, so 

 that its leafy aspect is less departed from. There are little pro- 

 jections, however, from the thickened edges of this carpellary 

 leaf, which show where the ovules should have been. A still 

 more interesting monstrosity is almost constantly presented by 

 the double Cherry. The centre of the flower is occupied by a 

 small leaf in place of the usual 

 carpel. This leaf (Fig. 97, a) 

 has the two edges folded towards 

 each other, and the midrib is 

 greatly prolonged, having a little 

 dilatation at its summit. If this 

 be compared with the carpel of 

 the cherry, seen at c, no doubt can 

 be entertained that the two sides 

 of the leaf answer to the walls of 

 the ovary, the prolonged midrib 

 to the style, and its dilated extre- 

 mity to the stigma. In some in- 

 stances the flower contains two FlQ ' ^ 



