MR. M. T. MASTERS ON AXILLARY PROLIFICATION IN FLOWERS. 491 



above the rim. From this it will be seen that six of the calyciue ribs divide into three 

 branches, one prolonged upwards as a lateral or median rib into the carpellary leaf, the 

 other running horizontally to join with similar branches sent out from the neighbom'ing 

 rib ; the four intermediate calycine ribs divide into two branches only, which join the side 

 branches of the first mentioned, but have nq direct upward prolongation into the carpel. 

 The ten ridges are placed opposite to the sepals and petals (PL LIV. fig. 6). The nature 

 of the carpophore and of the placenta in TlmhelUfene are also illustrated by prolified 

 flowers : thus, in some specimens described by Mr. Townsend*, the ovules were seen 

 hanging from the margin of a leafy carpel. The carpophore, moreover, in place of being, 

 as Dr. Lindley describes it, a forked placenta, which has become in process of develop- 

 ment exterior to the carpels t, is in reality, as Mr. Townsend has suggested!, "^ con- 

 tinuation of the axis, serving at first to solder the parts together, and ultimately sepa- 

 rating to suspend the freed mericarps." That such a prolongation of the axis shoiild in 

 some cases bear flowers (as in my specimen) is only a further proof of the real nature of 

 the organ. 



It will also be obvious, from what has been before said as to the caljrx in prolified 

 flowers of this family, that there is in this group a real calyx -tube. 



The proliferous flowers in BosacecB and Fomacecs have already been alluded to as 

 throwing light on the nature of the frixit of these plants, and on the share which the 

 expanded flower-stalk takes in their production; and similar conclusions may be drawn 

 as to the fruit of some other orders, wherein the ovary is said to be inferior, e. g. Cactacece, 

 FJdladelphacece, Ilyrtacece, Tetragoniacece, Campanulacece, and probably also of many 

 other families not here alluded to. The conclusions tally well with the organogenic 

 researches of Payer, Trecul, and others. 



Furthermore, the accessory buds which are occasionally found on these fruits are 

 rather to be referred to lateral than to axillary prolification, strictly so called. They 

 have been mentioned in this place inasmuch as they are usually recorded as cases of 

 axillary prolification, and are to be found under that head in the works treating on such 

 matters. Other important changes affecting the characters of certain natural orders, 

 such as the change from an adherent to a free ovary, from perigynous to hypogynous 

 stamens, &c., have been already mentioned, and need no further comment in this 

 place §. 



* Bot. Gazette, vol. iii. p. 52. t Veg. Kingd. p. 774. t Loc. cit. 



§ For figures and descriptions of flowers affected with prolification, which are not specially referred to in these 

 papers, the reader is referred to the oft-cited treatises of IMoquiu-Taudon and Engelmann, where numerous references 

 are given ; also to Dr. Lindley's 'Theory of Horticulture,' and to a memoir of Prof. C. O. Weber, in Verhandl. des 

 Nat.-Hist. Vereins des Preuss. Rheinlandes und Westphalens, vol. vi. 1858, &c. &c. 



