FASCIATION AND ALLIED PHENOMENA. 



161 



fin affection of the constitution, however primarily induced, then it would 

 not be difficult to realise the fact. Hence we have become familiar with 

 multifold flowers and their resulting fruits in Tomatos and the Forget-me- 

 not mentioned. 



The late M. Vilmorin succeeded in fixing both a fasciated stem of 

 Teazel and the large flower of the Foxglove described. He informed the 

 writer that the proportion of seed which "came true " and produced the 

 multifold flower with him was 90 per cent. 



Although multifold flowers are often associated with a fasciated 

 peduncle, it is not always so, for the Foxglove in question usually has the 

 peduncle quite normal and not at all fasciated, the affection thus attacking 

 the flower only. As it is at the apex of the flowering stem, where a 

 superabundance of sap finds no outlet, Nature proceeds to multiply the 

 parts of a single flower until it develops into a multifold one. The cause is 

 hypertrophy. 



That hypertrophied conditions of plants can become hereditary is 

 familiar to all in the numerous garden vegetables, as Potatos, Cauliflowers, 

 and all root crops. 



Double Floweks. — These, also, receive their explanation from the 



Tig. 95. — Transverse section of ovaries Fig. 96. — Transverse section of pe- 



of Foxglove, showing S carpels by duncle of double Snowdrop, below 



radial chorisis. the swollen part. 



same phenomenon of chorisis ; for though the commencement of 

 doubling is due to a substitution of petals for carpels and stamens, these 

 become extraordinarily multiplied, and this increase is usually correlated 

 Avith repeated branching of the cords within the floral receptacle. Each 

 branch on reaching the surface continues on, but is now clothed in 

 l^etaline tissue. Figs. 96, 97, 98 illustrate what takes place in a double 

 Snowdrop. Below the swelling under the flower the stem contains six 

 cords (fig. 96). There were no ovary cells in the case examined, but the 

 swollen receptacle consisted of a solid axis of tissue with numerous branching 

 cords (fig. 98) interspersed, all of which have arisen from the original 

 six cords (fig. 96). These branches on reaching the surface supply a 

 cord to every petal and sepal as the case may be. 



Origin of Cords of Members in Normal Flowers. — When we 

 speak of floral organs being homologous with leaves, it must be remem- 

 bered, in connection with the subject before us, that the way in which 

 cords are supplied to flowers is not altogether identical with that by 

 which leaves receive theirs. I have already mentioned that one, three, 

 or more cords travel outward from the stem-cylinder and enter the 



