OF THE OVULES. 963 
ovules of Primula sinensis, applied the term lepyro- 
phylly (Aerupdy, a scale) to the foliaceous condition of 
the testa in this plant. Unger’ describes a series of 
malformations in Primula sinensis, consisting chiefly of 
reversions of the part of the flower to leaves. ‘The 
carpels were entirely absent in this case, and the place 
of the free central placenta was occupied by a circle of 
leaves, sometimes bearing imperfect ovules on their 
edges. An instance of a similar kind has been de- 
scribed by A. de Candolle.° 
In these flowers the placenta seemed to be composed 
of several funiculi soldered together, and bearing imper- 
fect ovules. In other cases no traces of ovules are 
visible, but the funiculi are in a foliaceous condition. 
Moquin also alludes to a case of the same nature in 
Cortusa Mathioli, in which the funiculi bore little 
rounded leaves. Brongniart has described some mal- 
formations of Primula sinensis in which the ovules 
were transformed wholly or partially into small leaves 
with three to five lobes. Dr. Marchand* mentions 
similar changes in Anagallis arvensis and Lonicera Peri- 
clymenum. 
Cramer’ figures ovules of Primula sinensis in the 
form of stalked leaves, often becoming infolded at the 
margins, and giving origin to a small nucleus on their 
inner surface. 
M. Tassi® records an instance in Symphytwin officinale 
wherein the ovules were replaced by two small lnear 
leaves arising entirely from the axis, and not from the 
carpels. 
In most of the foregomg illustrations the foliar portion 
of the ovule must have been independent of the carpel ; 
this independence is less manifest, though probably as 
| * Act. Acad. Nat. Cur.,’ 22, 11, 1850, p. 543, t. v, vi. 
2 * Neue Denkschrift der allg. Schweiz. Gesellsch.,’ band v, p. 9, tab. 3, 4. 
3 * Ann. Se. Nat.’ 2 ser., vol. i, p. 308, pl. ix, ¢ 
4 * Adansonia,’ vol. iv, pp. 159, 171. 
Bae Bildungsabweichungen,’ &e., tab. iv, figs. 1, 2, 21, 28, 29, &c. 
® «Bull. Soc, Bot. Fr ance,’ vill, p. 395. 
