626 
J. ARTHUR HARRIS 
Typical cases of synanthy are shown from the side in Figs. 5, 6, 
8 and 9 and from below in Figs. 2 and 3, to which Fig. i of a normal 
flower is joined for comparison. Examples of the production of an 
accessory pedicel below the normal receptacle are shown from the 
side in Fig. 10 and from below in Fig. 4. But all possible gradations 
may be found between these two types of anomalies: hence it is idle 
to recount the criteria which have been applied in an attempt to 
distinguish between them. For example, it is difficult to decide just 
how the cases illustrated in Figs. 7, 11, 12 and 14 shall be classified. 
They combine in some degree the characteristics of perfectly consti- 
tuted secondary inflorescences, of synanthous flowers and those in 
which there is a production of an adventitious pedicel from below the 
receptacle. 
The numbers of flowers involved in synanthy varies considerably. 
Generally it is 2, but 3, 4 or 5 may be found. Figs. 2-3, 5-1 1, and 14 
serve as illustrations. The number of secondary rays originating 
below the inflorescence is also variable. It is interesting to note that 
very frequently, and I believe in the great majority of the cases, the 
secondary pedicel extends considerably above the flower below which 
it originates, as shown in Figs. 10 and 12. 
Between synanthy, or pedicels showing secondary rays inserted 
below the receptacle, to the most perfectly formed secondary ''um- 
bels," as shown in Fig. 16, all possible transitions, both in number of 
flowers and perfection of formation, are found. 
Ordinarily the rays of the secondary umbels are inserted at about 
the same position, but occasionally examples are found in which one 
ray is considerably lower than the rest, or in which the lowermost 
rays are rather scattered. The number of secondary pedicels varies 
greatly. 
Some abnormalities of inflorescence structures are almost invariably 
formed in any large series of plants. Without going into details con- 
cerning the general observations of the past several years, I think it 
may be safely stated that variation in the inflorescence is to some 
extent dependent upon the peculiarities of the individual plants and 
to some extent determined by environmental conditions. 
III. Discussion and Analysis of Data 
The first problem to require consideration is that of the frequency 
and the nature of the distribution of abnormal pedicels. 
