fruited at Ripley Castle. 431 



86 



removed the connexion with the female tree, and finally cut it 

 off entirely. The scion continued to live, but scarcely to grow, 

 for three months longer, when it was displaced by an accident. 

 The male plant continued to grow and flower as usual until 

 September, 1837 (twelve months after the removal of the female 

 scion) ; when it showed the female flowers before alluded to; and 

 at present it has female flowers on axillary peduncles, like perfect 

 females. I have no doubt whatever but this change of sex has 

 taken place in consequence of the connexion with the female 

 papaw, since the flowei's have been produced on wood formed 

 during the time of, or since, the connexion. This seems a very 

 interesting subject for the vegetable physiologist, whether, with 

 Mr. Main, we consider a real life (indusium) necessary for the 

 developement of any part of a plant ; or, with Mr. Keith, we con- 

 sider the matured sap organisable. Whichever idea we cling 

 to, true it is that an operation 

 unseen and unknown has pro- 

 duced a change. I was in hopes 

 that our female plant, that had the 

 male inarched on it, would show 

 male flowers ; but as yet it has not. 

 Probably, the greater vigour of 

 the male head, from not being so 

 much wounded, might carry with 

 it the sap of the female; whereas 

 the female, having no leaves at the 

 time of the connexion, might suffer 

 itself to be robbed with impunity. 

 Ripley Castle, April 3. 1838. 



