OF ORGANISATION. 213 



multiplied petals only, in the place of the organs es- 

 sential to the propagation of the species; and in certain 

 circumstances, the whole flower itself is replaced by a 

 gemma or bud (26), when the plant which bears it is 

 termed viviparous. 



So with respect to the appropriate organization of 

 particular plants. Each species is naturally furnished 

 with flowers, of a determinate structure, having a cer- 

 tain number of stamens and pistils, as well as of divi- 

 sions or parts in their integuments, all which are con- 

 nected together, in an appropriate mode, in every 

 flower. But circumstances sometimes cause an alter- 

 ation, frequently in the comparative number of such 

 parts or divisions, though very rarely in their mode of 

 connexion. 



Such are accidental variations, which a competent 

 degree of attention and caution in the observer will 

 enable him to guard against. Their study, cautiously 

 pursued, may often throw light on those more perma- 

 nent diversities of structure, which occupy the studies 

 of the profound botanist, and of which I would now 

 attempt somewhat of a comparative view. 



In general, the aberrations of Nature in plants bear 

 a considerable analogy to her accidental variations, 

 but are, of course, much more diversified and exten- 

 sive. Thus, in tribes very nearly akin, a correspond- 

 ing number in the parts of fructification is found liable 

 to many more exceptions than a similarity of connexion 

 or insertion. In the Caryophyllece, Juss. 82. Linn. 22, 



