n 



which consist of nothing but a constant repetition of the opposite 

 pairs of bracts at the base of the calyx. A calyx may be repeated 

 over and over again, the corolla being entirely suppressed. This 

 has occurred in several plants, as larkspur, foxglove, veronicas, 

 etc. With regard to the corolla, a second and a third may be 

 formed one within the other, as in campanulas. In these stamens 

 and pistil may remain unchanged. 



When stamens are about to become "petaloid," the anther may 

 have one cell in the form of a flat little petal. Though there is no 

 real explanation of its occurrence, it may clear our notions to try 

 and express what takes place somewhat as follows. Nature has 

 divided the vital energies of a plant into several departments, and 

 different supplies of energy have been, as it were, told off to un- 

 dertake certain duties. Thus "vegetative" energy makes leaves. 

 Other energies make sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels respec- 

 tively ; but from some unknown causes, they may invade one an- 

 other's departments. Hence occurs a struggle in the structure of 

 an organ under two different energies. All we can say is that to 

 produce this, it is due to some "affection" we cannot account for; 

 but it is apparently caused by some external influence from the 

 soil or elsewhere. As an interesting example, when Mr. Heat 

 was raising new greenhouse rhododendrons for Messrs. Veitch, 

 he noticed a hybrid with anther petaloid on a truss of flowers. He 

 pollinated that flower with pollen from its own stamens. The 

 result was fifteen seedlings, and all were double or semi-double; 

 from this origin arose the "Balsamifloral" section of the East In- 

 dian rhododendrons. The "affection" thus started proved, there- 

 fore, to be hereditary. 



"Doubling," to which several series of parts of the same kind 

 occur in successive whorls or continuous spirals, must not be con- 

 founded with a multiplication in the number of parts in each 

 whorl. This often occurs, as in a corymb of elder flowers, among 

 which flowers in "sixes" may often be found as well as the 

 normal ones in "fives," just as a Crocus or Daffodil may be in 



