1895.] Dv. D. Prain — A Case of PJeiotaxy of /ho Gynmcinm. 197 



by Mr. Duthie {Gard. Ghron. i, 1882, p. 601, f. 95) from examples in 

 the pods of Indian Mustard and by Dr. Masters (Veg. Teratol. p. 183, 

 f. 96, 97) from examples in Grapes. Dr. King tells me that lie has 

 observed something approaching the same peculiarity in the Papaya 

 itself; one or more of the seeds have been replaced by miniature 

 Papayas projecting into the ovarian cavity. 



Here, however, we have to deal with a different phenomenon. In- 

 side the perfectly normal-looking fruit we find a second, about half its 

 length, quite unconnected with the carpels of the ordinary pistil and 

 arising from the axis of the flower within the normal ovary and there- 

 fore above the point of attachment of its parts. The edges of the 

 carpellary leaves of this second ovary are more or less free except at 

 the base; through the interstices we can see a third ovary propor- 

 tionately smaller but rather more approaching the normal ovary in 

 appearance and structure owing to its component carpels being united 

 except at their tips. (PI. IV, fig. A.) This third ovary we find to be 

 from the second as the second is from the first ; it occupies apparently 

 as free the very extremity of the axis of the flower. (PI. V, tig. B). 



The degree of solution of carpels in the more external of these 

 accessory fruits is rather irregular. Two carpels are united through- 

 out ; two others are discrete only in their upper fourth. These two pairs 

 are inter se discrete to within half-an-inch from their base; the solitary 

 carpel on the other hand, is united throughout its lower third to each 

 of its neighbours. The carpels of tliis whorl are alternate with those 

 of the normal ovary ; those of the inmost whorl are in turn alternate 

 with the ones of the whorl just outside and are therefore opposite the 

 normal carpels. (PI. V, fig. C.) The multiplication of carpels here met 

 with is obviously not due to substitution of carpels for organs of some 

 other kind and is not easily explicable on the theory that there has 

 been a chorisis of the normal carpels. 



The stigmas of these extra carpels appear to be perfectly normal, 

 but being confined within a closed cavity pollination has been impossible 

 and the perfectly normal ovules that cover the placentas have remained 

 undeveloped. Owing to the pressure exerted by the accessory carpels 

 seeds are absent, excepting on the spaces opposite the gaps between 

 these adventitious organs, from the lower two-thirds of the normal 

 fruit. In the upper third where there has been no pressure perfect 

 seeds are present as usual. 



The discrete character of the outer accessory carpels will recall to 

 mind the appearance presented by the " finger orange," in which there 

 is, besides the separation of the ordinary ones, not infrequently an 

 augmentation in number of carpels. Tliis at times is due apparently 



