1892.| Briefer Articles. 329 
prove that it is no exception to the general laws of variation. Leav- 
ing out of all account the extended variation among the cultivated 
varieties which are quite as marked as among others of its congeners, 
my purpose in this note is to call attention to the range of variations 
to be found in the weed in a state of nature. This tendency is quite 
marked, and has often been noted. One of the more common and 
constant phases of variability is to be fouud in the floral umbel. The 
presence of a single, central flower, springing from the immediate cen- 
ter of the disk, and of a deep purple color, in distinction from the 
generally pure white of the entire umbel, is a feature that has been 
known for some time, though I am not aware that any record has ap- 
peared in any recent literature. 
Another feature nearly as general and constant is the presence of a 
Peripheral circle of larger flowers, mostly sterile and radial, though 
this is hot universally the case, and for this reason, as probably in the 
preceding case no special record has been made of the fact. 
During the present summer I have observed certain other variant 
Phases which seem to be somewhat new, as a very considerable extent 
ofinquiry among leading botanists has failed to elicit any corresponding 
observations. The features to which reference is here made are two. 
First: The extension of the unique colored and sterile features of 
the central flower to the whole central umbelet. This I have noted 
m quite a large number of cases. Second: The implication of the 
fntire umbel in the coloration. This feature was by no means as gen- 
Se — last, but was quite marked in many individuals. My first 
Pg Seg observing ut somewhat casually was that it was probably 
eg say cause which leads to the assumption of purplish hues 
hae flowers as they age toward withering. Subsequent ob- 
pee “seen showed that this could not be the case;, as in those 
aie hiss a the phenomenon at all, it was quite as marked in the 
Reel ade of Howering as at any other. This, together with the ob- 
i aeatcies ney of the central purple flower to involve the whole cen- 
that it isa a : peculiar color, renders very strong the conviction 
fd Gerais, € of variation, which in time may become quite general 
M ent. : 
Cold 2a a aga on these points were made in the vicinity of 
mens in tafe 1. I, but have subsequently been verified upon speci- 
is Gectie leimity, and I doubt not may be found occasionally in 
Western state S, though I had not noticed them at all in the middle 
ie <4 ; 
of a remarkable that notwithstanding these and other features 
n, the divergence has not been sufficiently marked or con- 
