Further Observations on the Selective Elimination of Ovaries {n Staphylea. 187 



Table XVI, 1909. 



Number. 



For Number and Radial Asymmetry: 



1906, Table XI, r = — . 0233 + . 0150. 



1908, Table XII, r = — . 0025 + . 0106. 



1909, Table XIII, r = — . 0587 + . 0147. 

 For Number and Locular Composition: 



1906, Table XIV, r = — . 0442 + • 0149. 



1908, Table XV, r = -|- . 0107 +• 0106. 



1909, Table XVI, r = — . 0241 + ■ 0148. 



All but one of the constants are negative, but they are so low 

 that no significance can be safely attached to them. 



The biological significance of the results for both asymmetry and 

 locular composition is patent. The slight negative values for r^^ lend 

 especial emphasis to the hypothesis that there is some unfitness for 

 development in a radially asymmetrical ovary of Staphylea, for to 

 explain the results as due to differentiation of the ovaries on the 

 inflorescence with a higher but random elimination from the more 

 distal regions the constants would have had to show a sensible 

 positive value! 



IV. Summary and Conclusions. 



1. The purpose of the foregoing pages is to obtain, through the 

 analysis of the records of over eight thousand fruits of Staphylea 

 trifolia, further light on the problem of the selective elimination of 

 ovaries which occurs between the time of flowering and the maturing 

 of the fruits. 



2. As in most biological researches, the degree of precision of 

 the results is limited by both the nature of the material and the 

 number of observations which are practicable. 



There are difficulties inherent in the material and the relationships 

 determined are generally so low that too much dependence cannot 



