The Vegetable Individual in tts relation to Species. 193 
be often ascertained with certainty even in those cases in which 
they are not visible when the flower has reached its complete de- 
velopment.* If we are to deny individuality to those buds 
(branches) only which are composed of a flower alone, as a strict 
interpretation of Schleiden’s language demands, we should have 
to draw a most unnatural and often impracticable line of demars 
cation between branches which, physiologically speaking, are per. 
fectly homologous (floral branchlets which really have no bracts), 
and those which bear imperceptible or even suppressed esr 
bracts. If on the other hand we would reckon the latter also 
among the branches which are not individuals,.then it te be 
contended that there is such a series of gradations in regard to 
number and vigor in the leaves which precede the rameal flower, 
that it is impossible to draw a dividing line even in this manner. 
The above-mentioned distinction between unessential and es- 
sential branches seems to afford a better stopping-place, no matter 
t, all ae, Sonetant LS iage aha of pty eet Orucifere, Capparidece, 
edna Balsa , Orchider, r have any bractlets. Among monocotyle- 
donous plants in pone cases there 7 pint one aaithet erect the dicotyledonous 
the parts of a lateral flower depends 
in fact upon yinigeleasie x aws of rameal ras when they do not harmonize 
i se laws we 
ogy aids 
us fest int confirming our began ns, as e. g., in the families Berg hularinee, ak 
without ote ails sasiatiohaara: bractlet ts anitig ree stble 2 appent in an 
normal growth. Not unfre geese in oth fag perm eee in its normal Gate 
presents no bractlets, but in we infert 
tion and the position = = calyx relatively % the axi wages : ha — bractlets de- 
i) 
Ss 
23 
rey 
3 
> 
Bs 
as 
bee 
a eo 
EE 
oe 
33 
° 
*B 6. 
nm 
% 
i: 
e, 
BS 
a 
# 
zt 
un ct i ceolum 8, whi them i sent resets 0 
ce of ence rmal state. We =, the wer-stalk, while the flower 
remained unchanged in all other acon, Their ever, on Baa im 
dicated by the poe of the guincuncial oly’ relay ts the axis, as well as 
confirmed be: forall for Tr m ciliatum RB. Endl. Nov. Gen. 
t. 38) in its ce evelopment has two round and potty ted brates on the 
the flower-stalk. I have mentioned the history of development last, not to disparage 
study, but because the morpho ust be ie amet tly on eo gaoaee Ales me: =) 
- ‘ 
Sie ars ea eee he 
liable i 
are present in th th not develop. To know wha at parts ome 
exist we should “th rms ot See the leit 03 a cell ora group of cells 
fore it rises to view above t of the stem, 
Srconp Srams, Vol, XX, No, 59--Sept. 1855., 26 
