Chap. VII. POLYGAMOUS PLANTS. 297 



dioecious. On the other hand, B. frangula is an ordi- 

 nary hermaphrodite, for my son found a large number 

 of bushes all bearing an equal profusion of fruit. 



Epigiea repens (Ericaceae). — This plant appears to 

 be in nearly the same state as Bhamnus cathariieus. 

 It is described by Asa Gray* as existing under four 

 forms. (1) With long style, perfect stigma, and short 

 abortive stamens. (2) Shorter style, but with stigma 

 equally perfect, short abortive stamens. These two 

 female forms amounted to 20 per cent, of the speci- 

 mens received from one locality in Maine ; but all 

 the fruiting specimens belonged to the first form. 

 (3) Style long, as in No. 1, but with stigma imperfect, 

 stamens perfect. (4) Style shorter than in the last, 

 stigma imperfect, stamens perfect. These two latter 

 forms are evidently males. Therefore, as Asa Gray 

 remarks, " the flowers may be classified into two kinds, 

 each with two modifications ; the two main kinds 

 characterised by the nature and perfection of the 

 stigma, along with more or less abortion of the 

 stamens ; their modifications, by the length of the 

 style." Mr. Meehan has describedf the extreme 

 variability of the corolla and calyx in this plant, and 

 shows that it is dicecious. It is much to be wished 

 that the pollen-grains in the two male forms should 

 be compared, and their fertilising power tried on the 

 two female forms. 



Bex aquifoliwrn (Aquifoliacese). — In the several 

 works which I have consulted, one author alone| says 

 that the holly is dioecious. During several years I 



* 'American Journal of Science,' delphiu,' May 1868, p. 153. 

 July 1876. Also, ' The American { Vaucher, 'Hist. Pliys. des 



Naturalist,' 1876, p. 490. Plantes d'Burope,' 1841, tom. ii. 



t "Variations in ^pj^ieorepejis," p. 11. 

 ' Proo. Acad. Nat. Soc. of Phila- 



