TBE KINSHIPS OF THE FLO WEB 



199 



Flowers occupy positions similar to branches: they 

 spring from the axils of leaves (or bracts), and 

 the method of branching of the flower- cluster sug- 

 gests that the parts of the in- 

 florescence occupy the position of 

 normal branches. Moreover, the 

 peduncles may bear bractlets, as 

 branches bear leaves; and now 

 and then a peduncle is jointed, or 

 has nodes. Even well-developed 

 buds may sometimes appear upon 

 flower -stalks, as in the case of 

 the pear in Fig. 194. These va- 

 rious facts suggest that peduncles 

 (and pedicels) may be likened to 

 branches, and that the parts of 

 flowers are akin to leaves. 



Fig. 194. 



Bud upon the stem of 

 a pear, suggesting that 

 228a. The bud upon the pear stem is the pedicel is really a 

 really a monstrosity (108a). The science kind of branch, 

 which treats of monstrosities is known as 



teratology. These monstrosities are interesting because they are 

 unusual or abnormal, but chiefly because they sometimes throw much 

 light upon the morphology of the parts. That is, parts which now 

 and then behave similarly, or which give rise to similar structures, 

 may be expected to have somewhat close homologioal relationships. 

 The student of plant morphology should consult Masters' "Vegetable 

 Teratology." 



229. The common water lily is seen in Fig. 

 195. Those who are familiar with the flower know 

 that there is a regular gradation from the green 



