196 Dr. D. Prain— A Case of Pteiotaxy of the Gynsecium. [Dec. 
His exceptional qualities as a controversialist are well known and 
were often called forth in defence of the evolution hypothesis and in 
theological disputes ; while as a writer of English, no one of his time 
has surpassed Huxley. Clearness of writing was his especial aim,—an 
aim which all must admit he has worthily attained. Perhaps, indeed, 
his greatest fame will hereafter rest on his qualities as a teacher. The 
extension of scientific knowledge was to him as important an object as 
its acqusition, and he fully recognized the extreme difficulty of, as ho 
himself said, “ the task of putting the truths learned in the field, the 
laboratory, and the museum, into language, which, without bating a jot of 
scientific accuracy shall be generally intelligible. His desire for the ex¬ 
tension of scientific knowledge and methods, according to his own state¬ 
ment, rested on the conviction that there is no alleviation for the sufferings 
of mankind except veracity of thought and action. With the intent of pro¬ 
moting these objects he was content to subordinate any ambition he pos¬ 
sessed for scientific fame to other ends, and he would have been content to 
be remembered, or even not remembered, as one of many who had worked 
for the popularization of science, the development and organization of 
scientific education, and the maintenance of opposition to clericalism of 
whatever denomination. That he will meet with the former alternative, 
of remembrance, and of remembrance as an ideal hero of science, will be 
the opinion of all who have paid even the slightest attention to his work 
and writings. 
Dr. D. Prain exhibited a monstrous Papaya and made the following 
remarks. 
A Case of Pleiotaccy of the Gynsecium. — By D. Piuin. 
(With Plates IV and V.) 
Pleiotaxy of the gyncecium, or an increase in the number of whorls 
of which the pistil consists, occurs so infrequently that an undoubted 
instance is not unworthy of record. The present example, which occur¬ 
red in a Papaya fruit that came to table in the ordinary way as dessert, 
was sent to the Royal Botanic Garden by Mr. J. S. Gladstone. It is 
an excellent instance of the condition spoken of as “ a fruit within a 
fruit.” 1 Of this condition there may be two explanations. An adventi¬ 
tious fruit may occur within the ovary so as to occupy the position 
usually occupied by a seed. This is by no means an uncommon occur¬ 
rence and, among recorded instances, is well-figured by Dr. Masters 
(Veg. Teratol. p. 182, f. 94, 95) from an example in Wall-flower pods, 
l Gardener's Chronicle, i. (1882) p. 11 and p. 601. 
