THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 143 



13, placed opposite to the slight ridges or seams between each 

 lobe of the corolla, and they were all pretty much about the 

 same length. Finally, the top of the carpels or stigmas 

 numbered 26, and the ovary when cut accross showed 13 

 chambers with their ovules. If we compare this with the lateral 

 flowers on the same axis, we find not only a different number of 

 parts, but in different proportions. The calyx is composed of 

 five sepals, the corolla is usually five-lobed, but the stamens are 

 only four, and the pistil consists of two united carpels, as indi- 

 cated by the two-lobed stigma and the two-chambered ovary. 

 The size, too, was very striking, as the terminal flower measured 

 about I ^ inches in diameter, while the greatest breadth of the 

 lateral flowers was about ^ inch. 



Thus the principal differences in this abnormal flower are : — 



1. Upright, instead of pendulous. 



2. Terminal, instead of lateral. 



3. Regularly developed, instead of irregularly bell-shaped. 



4. Number of parts symmetrical throughout. 



5. About double the size. 



If we are justified in drawing conclusions from such abnormally 

 produced specimens and regarding them as indicative of the 

 primitive type of the flower, then each of these points would be 

 very suggestive, but to dwell upon them all would make the note 

 too long. The terminal flower is regular because its various parts 

 are equally exposed to the various forces of nature, and there is 

 no reason why one part should be more developed than another, 

 but whenever the flower becomes lateral instead of terminal then 

 the different forces of nature, such as heat, light, gravity, &c., 

 would act unequally on different parts and thus tend to produce 

 the so-called irregularity of flowers. Then, with the visits of 

 insects this tendency would be taken advantage of, and the 

 stimulated protoplasm would respond. It may also be noted 

 here that with increased differentiation there is usually con- 

 densation of parts and economy of material, so that the number 

 of parts is gradually reduced, and some of them more so than 

 others on account of some counterbalancing advantage. 



Records of Victorian Plants. — At the December meeting 

 of the Field Naturalists' Club I exhibited Cryptandra bifida, F. v. 

 M., from the northern parts of the Mallee as new for Victoria, 

 collected by Mr. D'Alton, but I find that a specimen had 

 previously been exhibited by Mr. F. M. Reader, which had been 

 given him by Mr. D'Alton. However, Eriostemon scaber, Paxton, 

 found by Messrs. C. C. and T. Brittlebank in the Myrniong 

 Ranges (south division) is new for Victoria, though previously 

 recorded from New South Wales and Queensland. The follow- 

 ing plants are new for the respective divisions ; — North-West. 



