CHAPTER V. 



DEGENERATION. 



The cases detailed in the last chapter lead us 

 gradually up to the consideration of those very 

 degenerate flowers whose structure has become com- 

 pletely debased, and especially of those which have 

 green perianths instead of coloured corollas. As a 

 rule, evolutionists have taken it for granted that 

 green flowers were the earliest of any, and that 

 from them the coloured types have been derived 

 by insect selection. But if the principles laid down 

 so far in this little treatise be correct, then it is 

 obvious that, since all petals were originally yellow, 

 green petals must be degraded, or at least altered 

 types. Of course, the flowers of gymnosperms (in 

 their blossoming stage) are mostly composed of green 

 scales or leaves ; and so it no doubt remains true 

 that all flowers are ultimately descended from green, 

 or greenish, ancestors. But if petals are by origin 

 modified stamens, it will follow that all corollas at 

 least were once coloured ; and we shall probably see 

 reason in the sequel to extend the principle to all 

 perianths whatsoever. Without insisting upon the 

 rule too dogmatically, so as to embrace every kind 



