OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS EXHIBITED. 269 
OBSEEVATIONS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS EXHIBITED. 
By the Rev. Prof. G. Henslow, M.A., V.M.H., &c. 
[November 7, 1899.] 
ViRESCENT Anemone.— Specimens of A. coronaria, flore pleno and 
green, were sent by Miss Edmunds, of Wiscombe Park, Colyton. They 
afforded an opportunity of explaining the fohaceous origin of flowers 
and the tendency to revert to it, a phenomenon not infrequent during 
the autumn, when vitality is lowered. 
White-flowered Begonia. — The first exhibition of a white variety 
of ' Gloire de Lorraine ' was made by Mr. Forbes. Like the normal form 
it was male ; but like that, too, it may possibly bear female fruit as the 
flowering declines. 
Pear Within Pear. — Mr. Henslow explained this monstrous con- 
dition of Pears, as several examples had been sent to the Society this 
year. The flower was wanting, but a leaf-bud replaced it ; and as inter- 
nodes and leaves were formed these acquired the fleshy structure of 
Pears, so that each internode resembled a Pear. Nothing but branching 
fibro-vascular cords traversed the interior. He pointed out the difference 
between a Pear and an Apple, in that the core being just at the end of 
the stalk in the latter, the flesh of the Apple consisted of the basal parts 
of the calyx ; but in the Pear the stalk for some distance below the core 
was swollen as well, thereby imparting the elongated form to it. 
Statice. — A fine group of Statices, exhibited by Mr. Low, illustrated 
the removal of colour from the corolla —which was only occasionally 
present, very small and white — to the calyx, which thus becomes the 
attractive organ. 
CiRRHOPETALUM REFRACTUM, a Small Orchid with green sepals, 
^as interesting in having two sepals coherent, a feature also seen in 
Cypripedium ; but in the former case the labellum was rudimentary, and 
the elongated coherent sepals appeared to take its place, as providing a 
resting-place for insects. 
Chrysanthemum, Quilled Form. — A remarkably fine variety of 
this type furnished material for observations on the origin of the different 
forms of flowers in this genus, and of the origin of sports. Mr. Henslow 
called attention to the theory of M. Ghys, thac, while multiplying indi- 
viduals by parting the roots never gave rise to sports, he had observed 
they frequently arise when cuttings are taken from a plant in full vigour. 
His interpretation is that this disturbs the equilibrium in the plant, as 
between absorption and evaporation, &c. It also explains why certain 
kinds are much more sportive than others, because, being in great 
demand, more cuttings are taken from them. Mr. Henslow hoped that 
Chrysanthemum growers of this country would test the theory and record 
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