314 Observations on the Formation of Double Flowers. 



much distorted and frequently halved down the middle, 

 having a more or less perfect indication of an anther on either 

 side. Here then the multiplication was bringing on trans- 

 formation, and exhibiting in an obvious manner an attempt 

 on the part of the multiplied petals to assume the functions 

 of stamens by the formation of a polliniferous receptacle. 

 Upon one of the most interior of the transformed petals above 

 the unguis, I observed the presence of that glandular fringed 

 process, which in the perfect flower is placed at the orifice of 

 the tube of the corolla ; where it forms a sort of annular ex- 

 crescence. This fact alone might, even if unattended by any 

 other evidence, be considered conclusive that the conversion, 

 which was operating, was of the petals into stamens. Among 

 the petaloid bodies were intermixed four unhealthy stamens, 

 bearing anthers of the natural form, their filaments being 

 neither petaloid, nor altered in any material degree from 

 their usual appearance, except being shorter than common. 

 The place of the ovarium was occupied by a deformed subu- 

 late process, much shorter than the petals, and cucullate at 

 the lower end, where it enwrapped two other smaller ap- 

 pendages. In the usual situation no trace whatever could 

 be perceived of ovula, but upon a more careful examination, 

 I discovered three different places at the base of the inner- 

 most staminoid petals, where ovula were produced in suf- 

 ficient abundance. In two cases the ovula proceeded from 

 the edge of the body to which they were attached, and in 

 the other case, two only appeared from a point which I did 

 not discover to be marginal with respect to any organ. In 

 the latter instance the ovula were collateral, in the others 



