Origin of Pelortc Toadflax 487 



parts of the corolla could be repeated five-fold, 

 in which case there would be no spur, and no 

 orange hue on the upper corolla-ring. Such 

 forms really occur, though they seem to be more 

 rare than the five-spurred pelories. Very little 

 is known about their frequency and hereditary 

 qualities. 



Orchids include a large number of peloric 

 monstrosities and moreover a wild pelory 

 which is systematically described not only as a 

 separate species but even as a new genus. It 

 bears the name of Uropedium lindenii, and is 

 so closely related to Ci/pripedium caudatum 

 that many authors take it for the peloric variety 

 of this plant. It occurs in the wild state in 

 som-e parts of Mexico, where the Cypripedium 

 also grows. Its claims to be a separate genus 

 are lessened by the somewhat monstrous con- 

 dition of the sexual organs, which are described 

 as quite abnormal. But here also, interme- 

 diates are lacking, and this fact points to a 

 sudden origin. 



Many cases of pelorism afford promising ma- 

 terial for further studies of experimental muta- 

 tions. The peloric toad-flax is only the proto- 

 type of what may be expected in other cases. 

 No opportunity should be lost to increase the as 

 yet too scanty evidence on this point. 



