GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 
At the end of many of the preceding sections, and 
whenever the requirements of the case demanded it, a 
brief summary of the main facts and of the inferences 
to be derived from them has been given. It may be 
useful to give in conclusion a few general remarks on 
the whole subject. 
It will be seen from the numerous facts herein cited, 
that the so-called monstrous formations (excluding 
morbid growths the result of disease or injury) present 
no peculiarities absolutely foreign to the normal 
organisation of plants. The difference between the 
natural and monstrous development is one of degree 
and frequency of occurrence, not of kind. 
Deviations from the customary form have been 
shown to arise from excessive or diminished growth, 
or from arrested or exalted development. Hven in 
those imstances where, for convenience’ sake, the 
term perverted development has been used, it must 
be understood as applying only to the particular plant 
or organ under consideration, as the form assumed is 
perfectly in accordance with the ordinary conformation 
of some other plant or group of plants. 
The period at which malformations occur is a 
matter of some importance; this is, indeed, implied in 
the term arrest of development ; evolution goes on with 
