Taxonomic Anomalies 673 



Likewise we must refrain from a consid- 

 eration of the physiologic qualities of the ten- 

 dril, and confine our attention to the combina- 

 tion of a limb, a naked midvein and an ascidium. 

 This combination is to be the basis of our dis- 

 cussion. It is liable to be produced all of a sud- 

 den. This assertion is proved by its occurrence 

 as a varietal mark in one of our most ordinary 

 cultivated plants. It is the group known as 

 Croton, belonging to the genus Codiaeum, 

 A variety is called interruptum and another ap- 

 pendiculatiim^ and these names both relate to 

 the interruption of the leaves by a naked mid- 

 vein. The leaves are seen to be built up of three 

 parts. The lower half retains the aspect of a 

 limb; it is crowned by a vein without lateral 

 nerves or blade-like expansions, and this stalk 

 in its turn bears a short limb on its summit. The 

 base of this apical limb exhibits two connate 

 lobes, forming together a wide cup or ascidium. 

 It should be stated that these interruptum varie- 

 ties are highly variable, especially in the rela- 

 tive size of the three principal parts of the leaf. 

 Though it is of course conceded that the ascidium 

 of Nepenthes has many secondary devices 

 which are lacking in Croton, it seems hardly al- 

 lowable to deny the possibility of an analogous 

 origin for both. Those of the Croton, according 

 to our knowledge regarding similar cases, must 



