MR. M. T. MASTERS ON PROLIFICATION IN FLOWERS. 367 
famous St. Valery Apples, I am diffident in hazarding any opinion on the subject ; but it 
is surely more reasonable to conceive a second row of carpels placed above the first by the 
prolongation of the central part of the axis, than to suppose, in the words of Moquin-Tan- 
don, " a prolification combined with penetration and fusion of two or more flov ers." 
Supposing my view to be correct, the inner calyx-like whorl might be considered cither 
as a repetition of the calycine whorl, or, with more probability, it might be inferred that 
the corolla was present in the guise of a second calyx. 
Moquin-Tandon suggests another explanation — feasible, indeed, but based upon no evi- 
dence — namely, that though the stamens are absent in these curious flowers, at least in 
their ordinary shape, they are represented by the lower row of carpels, which become, in 
process of development, fused with the upper or true carpels. If this were so, surely some 
intermediate conditions between stamen and carpel would occasionally be present ; but 
such does not appear to be the case*. 
In some of the instances of proliferous Pears that are described, the carpels would 
seem to be entirely absent, and the dilated portion of the axis to be alone repeated. Thus 
the axis dilates to form the lower fruit without any true carpels being produced ; but at 
its summit a whorl of leaves (sepals) is formed above them; another swelling of the axis 
takes place also without the formation of carpels, and this, it may be, is terminated in 
its turn by a branch producing leaves. In these cases there is no true prolification, but 
simply an extension of the axis. That the outer portion (so-called calyx-tube) of these 
fruits is really an axile product there can now be little doubt ; and, as if to show their 
axile nature, they occasionally produce leaves from their sides as before mentioned. Some 
other malformations usually referred to prolification of the fruit seem due to branching 
of the inflorescence, as in Plantago, Wheat, Maize ; or to a simple extension of the axis 
beyond its ordinary limit, as in the cones of Firs, etc. It is obvious that the true fruits 
in these cases are in no wise affected. 
From these considerations it would appear better to abandon the use of the expression 
prolification of the fruit, as unnecessary where it is really applicable, and as delusive in 
the numerous cases where it is erroneously employed. 
It would lengthen this communication to no useful extent to remark upon the con- 
dition of the adventitious growth itself. I have alluded to it when necessary, and shall 
make no further comment on it than to say it may present itself in the ordinary condition 
of leaf-bud, or flower-bud, or inflorescence, or that it may be malformed in various ways. 
Any further notes that bear upon this subject that I may be able to brmg forward, I 
nope to have the honour of laying before the Society in another communication on the 
kinds of prolification not treated of on this occasion. 
* 
Moquin-Tandon, p. 386, &c. 
case 
M. Tre'cul fin the Bnll. Bot. Soc. France, torn. i. p. 307), in which the petals were m the sam 
umber of stamens. M. Gay, in referring 
that 
VOL. XXIII. 
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