362 MONSTROSITY IN THE FLOWER OF THE ROSE. {MuVCh^ 



baria, but this is the first time I have noticed any such monstro- 

 sity in ScoMosa succisa. 



Monstrosity in the Flower of the Rose. 



The specimen was given to me by Mr. Gill, one of my botani- 

 cal pupils at the London Hospital Medical College during the 

 last summer session. It presents the most remarkable illustra- 

 tion of retrograde metamorphosis which I have yet seen, for, al- 

 though (as is well known) monstrous flowers of the rose may be 

 seen yearly in almost any collection of that plant if proper search 

 be made, yet such monstrosities are generally but exhibitions of 

 tendencies in the parts of such flowers to revert to the typical 

 leaf. In this specimen the calyx maintains its normal form and 

 character (fig. 2) ; the corolla consists of several whorls of petals 

 (fig. 2, a) ; within these are a number of stamens, in various 

 stages of transformation into petals ; and within these again are 

 a few stamens in a perfect condition (fig. 2) . So far, therefore, 

 the flower presents nothing remarkable, but the peculiarity of it 

 is in its central portion. Here, instead of finding perfect carpels, 

 or carpels in a state of transformation into petals or leaves, we 

 find the axis prolonged beyond the flower, and bearing on its 

 surface a number of leaves, which exactly resemble in their form, 

 condition of margins, and other peculiarities, those situated on 

 the stem below the flower (fig. 2, c) . The axis has developed as 

 freely above the flower as below it, and does not exhibit the least 

 tendency to form carpels or other flowers, etc., but in every re- 

 spect resembles the ordinary leafy branch of the same rose. Such 

 a monstrosity is a most interesting one, and is a striking example 

 of the doctrine, that all the parts of the flower are formed upon 

 the same plan as ordinary leaves, of which, indeed, they are to be 

 regarded as modifications. — From the 'Pharmaceutical Journal' 

 for January, 1858. 



FIFESHIEE FEUNS. 

 By C. Howie. 



(Feens, continued from p. 264.) 



Athyrium Filix-foemina, Roth. This variable species is abun- 

 dantly distributed, illustrative of several varieties and interme- 

 diate forms. 



