J. J. SIMP80N 
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AndrcBcium. (6) There is a significant difference between the means of the 
distributions of 
(a) the members of the two whorls of the andrfficium, 
(b) the members of the two positions in the inner whorl, 
and (c) the members of the two positions in the outer wh<;rl. 
(7) From whatever axis we view the androecium as an organ it is distinctly 
asymmetrical in the distribution of its functioning stamens. 
(8) There is much greater variability in the inner whorl than in the outer 
whorl of the androecium. 
(9) In both positions in the inner whorl of the androecium there is a tendency 
towards a reduction from the accepted typical number of stamens and in the 
position where this is most marked there is the greatest variability. 
The interpretation of these results is not at first sight very evident. 
Why should there be a tendency towards a reduction in the number of 
members in the different organs of the flower and why should this tendency 
be most marked in the inner whorl of the androecium ? As has already been 
pointed out all the flowers examined were taken from a single plant which gave 
rise to new stems by means of buds on the roots. May this tendency to reduction 
in the parts of the flower whose function is sexual reproduction not be an expression 
of a tendency towards an elimination of sexual in favour of vegetative reproduction? 
Another phenomenon which lends support to this hypothesis is the fact that in 
this plant the percentage of "pods" which attain maturity is extremely small. 
Whether there is or is not a tendency towards vegetative reproduction, may 
we not also have here a harking back towards an ancestral form in which the 
number was less than the at present accepted typical number ? In fact one would 
expect that if the present constitution of the inner whorl of the androecium had 
been most recent in development, reversion would first take place in it, and 
conversely one might reasonably conclude that since this whorl shows greatest 
variability, and most marked tendency to reduction in the number of members, it 
is more than probable that its present constitution was arrived at by an increase in 
number from a more primitive type. 
Let us now examine the deductions made from a study of the correlation 
coefficients and see if they have any morphological interpretation. 
(1) The calyx and corolla are more highly correlated with one another than is 
either of these with the androecium. 
(2) The calyx is more highly correlated with the androecium than is the corolla. 
In other words, the two protective parts are more intimately associated in increase 
or decrease with one another than is either of these with the male reproductive 
organs, and further the calyx which is solely protective in function is more 
Biometrika x 33 
