Monstrosities 411 



tray themselves by the frequency of the anom- 

 aly, and therefore may be found, and tried in 

 the garden. Under adequate cultivation they 

 are here as rich in aberrant individuals as the 

 twisted races quoted above, producing in good 

 years from 30 - 4:0^ and often more instances. I 

 have cultivated such rich races of the dandelion 

 (Taraxacum officinale) ^ of Thrincia hirta, of the 

 dame's violet (Hesperis matronalis), of the 

 hawkweed (Picris hieracioides) , of the rough 

 hawksbeard (Crepis biennis), and others. 



Respecting the hereditary tendencies these 

 rich varieties with flattened stems may be put in 

 the same category with the twisted races. Two 

 points however, seem to be of especial interest 

 and to deserve a separate treatment. 



The common cockscomb or Celosia cristata, 

 one of the oldest and most widely cultivated 

 fasciated varieties may be used to illustrate 

 the first point. In beds it is often to be; 

 seen in quite uniform lots of large and beau- 

 tiful crests, but this uniformity is only se- 

 cured by careful culture and selection of the 

 best individuals. In experimental trials 

 such selection must be avoided, and in doing 

 so a wide range of variability at once shows 

 itself. Tall, branched stems with fan- 

 shaped tops arise, constituting a series of 

 steps towards complete atavism. This last 



