134 TAXONOMV. 



numbers of every system, and, by deriving from them, the re- 

 lative number. Because, as irregular flowers arise from the 

 union or abortion of regular petals, the whole number is 

 evidently lessened, and can no longer stand in a fixed relation 

 to the parts of the calyx, or to the filaments. Therefore 

 the absohite number is here tlie first object of examination. 



201. 



The number of petals has a fixed proportion to the num- 

 ber ol' the parts of the calyx, when each of tliese systems has 

 but one row of parts. The relative numbers are less remark- 

 able and less applicable in these two organs, when they stand 

 in several rows. But in some cases this relation may be ex- 

 pressed by multiplication. In Nymphaa alba we reckon four 

 divisions of the calyx, four times four pistils, four times five 

 petals in two rows, and four times twelve anthers iti four 

 rows. 



But as the petals themselves, as in Delphinium, NympluEay 

 Calycantlms, and several other genera, are evidently altered 

 filaments, the numbers of each row of the filaments maintain 

 a fixed proportion to the parts of the corolla and calyx. 



202. 



It is diflicult to state the numerical proportion of the locii- 

 li of the fruit. If the ovaria are placed in the shape of a whorl 

 around an imaginary axis, they often maintain a definite pro- 

 portion to the parts of the calyx and corolla, as in the Ge- 

 raniums, Diosmea;, and Junceae. But when the ovaria are 

 arranged in heads or ears, their number is for the most part 

 quite indefinite, and maintains at least no proportion to the 

 parts of the corolla and calyx. We see this very distinctly in 

 the Ranunculeae. 



Now, as we have already remarked that capsules of many 

 loculi are to be considered as individual capsules that have 

 been joined together, what has been already said respect- 

 ing the whorl-shaped position of individual ovaria, is appli- 

 cable to capsules of several loculi, when the pistil stands 

 in their centre. But if the pistil be on one side, this is pro- 



