PROF, CREPIN : VEGETABLE MONSTROSITIES. 



215 



I. TuLiPA Gesneriana, L. {PI. L A. fig.\. 2. 3.) 



(Adhesion a7id Defrnmation.) 



In a plant with simple flowers, tlie superior leaf, instead of being spread 

 out, was transformed into a true spatha, wliich tlie development of the bud, 

 and the elongation of the pedicel, had caused to break at its lower third. 

 The pedicel measured nine centimetres (three and a half inches), and the 

 flower was in the normal condition. Were there but the elements of a single 

 leaf in this monstrous spatha 1 In the transverse section {fig 3.) there are 

 at the points a. h. c. slight thickenings which seem to indicate that it in- 

 cluded the elements of three leaves. This supposition seems to be strength- 

 ened by the consideration of the tliree lobes into which the extremity of the 

 spatha is cut. {fig. 2. a. h. c.) 



I am indebted to the kindness of M, J. Samsoen, chief gardener at the 

 establishment of M. Van Houtte, for this monstrosity. 



II. DiANTHUS BARBATUS, L. {PI. I. B. fig.1.2.3.) 



( Adhesion, Ascidium, * Multiplication.) 



On a stem of this Pink, commencing at the fourth internode, the two 

 leaves of each pair were united by their borders simulating a single leaf 

 bifid in a variable degree, the fission ranging from ten to forty-five milli- 

 metres (three-tenths to one inch and six-tenths) in depth. Fig. 1. represents 

 the fifth pair of leaves. At the extremity of the same stem, the superior pair 

 of leaves formed a bifid spatha, or if preferred a diphyllous ascidium (fig. 2.) 

 which included the central floriferous axis and several lateral floriferous 

 branclilets. 



Cases of adhesion more or less complete were remarked on the branches 

 of the stem in question. Thus fig. 3, represents a superior pair of floral 

 leaves viewed from the back. 



This kind of adherence of leaves was manifest on several stems of the 

 same root, and also on other roots. On one of these stems I observed the 

 two leaves of the same pair united only by their narrowest portion and for a 

 length of about two centimetres (one and a half inches), and lastly another 

 stem, somewhat slender, produced leaves verticillate in threes. 



M. Eugene Coemans gathered this anomaly for me in his garden at 

 Ghent, on the 20th May, 1865. 



* (Greek Askidion, a small bag.) 



