In Fig. XXIII. the change advances further, and in another direction. That dislocation of the rings of parts belonging to the flower, which was so visible in the two last cases, is here carried still further; and, in addition, two of the young parts near the middle of the whole structure have each formed in

Fig. XXIII.-Transformed Pear.

their axil one bud, which has become a deformed flower, and produced a deformed Pear. No organ of the plant, except leaves and their modifications, has the power of producing a flower from its axil.

The following additional illustrations of these facts may be mentioned:— Fig. XXIV. represents a branch of a Pear in which one flower (a) is in a deformed state, but still sufficiently recognisable, and another completely changed into a branch; the calyx assuming the appearance of leaves or leafy scales (ss), the petals also partially transformed into leaves (pp), while the whole apparatus of stamens and pistils is converted into an

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FLOWERS BECOME ROSETTES OF LEAVES.

ordinary branch. Fig. XXV. shows the state of plants of Potentilla nepalensis with their flowers changing to branches: a is a flower in the ordinary condition; at b it is partly changed in a slight degree; at c all the sepals, petals, and stamens are converted into leaves, but the pistils are little changed; at d the sepals, petals, and stamens are but little

altered, but the receptacle of the fruit is lengthening into a branch, and is covered by the carpels partly converted into leaves, and some of them near the apex producing flowers from their axils; finally, at e, the whole of the floral apparatus is changed into a rosette of leaves. A monstrous Foxglove has been seen to present analogous appearances.

FLOWERS OTHERWISE TRANSFORMED.

91

Of such a case, Fig. XXVI. is a representation of the natural size. Its structure was as follows:-Firstly, a calyx, consisting of 12 sepals, distinct to the base. Secondly, a corolla as large as the Hebe's Cup Rose, lobed with considerable irregularity; deep rich rose, with the peculiar ocellated spots of Digitalis. Near its base were 12 perfect stamens. Thirdly, another calyx, regular, cup-shaped, with 13 short triangular teeth. Fourthly, within this a second corolla, paler, with

purple not ocellated spots, almost hemispherical, very irregularly lobed, in three irregular whorls, with 11 stamens in a more or less monstrous state. Fifthly, in the midst, a lengthened axis covered with numerous leafy, petal-like or stamen-like lobes, forming a confused tuft. No pistil; but all sorts of transitions from stamens to scales and leaves. This further evidence assists in proving not only that a flower is a branch, but that irregular flowers will occasionally become regular; and that, becoming so, they make up for all the deficiencies and peculiarities of the ordinary structure, by taking on the customary state of regular flowers; that all the parts of a flower are leaves in various states of development; and that the axis of a flower is a growing point, capable of indefinite extension as soon as the forces which determine the production of a flower are disturbed.

It is therefore clear that although the parts of a flower are different both in appearance and office from leaves, yet they do

all assume, under particular circumstances, the same appearance and office. Hence it is inferred that they are really nothing more than leaves in a modified state; and, consequently, that a flower is a very short branch, and a flower-bud analogous in many respects to a leaf-bud. A leaf-bud is a collection of leaf-scales of the same or similar form, arranged round a central very short branch, having a growing point. A flower-bud is a collection of leaf-scales of different forms, arranged round a central very short branch, not having a growing point under ordinary circumstances. In this latter respect it resembles those buds of the Larch which form leaves in starry clusters, without extending into a branch. Many points in horticulture could not be explained until the existence of this analogy was made out.*

What it is that causes a plant to convert some of its buds into flowers, by fashioning the leaves into calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistils, while other buds become branches clothed with ordinary leaves, is beyond the reach of explanation. There are, however, certain facts connected with it which require notice. It is clear that plants begin to fructify at some determinate period, varying in different species. In annuals this occurs in a few weeks or months after germination;

*This doctrine has been taught at different times, by different independent observers. Among other persons, I find that Mr. Knight had come to the same conclusion, at a time when the views of Wolffius and Goethe were quite unknown in England. He says: "The buds of fruit-trees which produce blossoms, and those which afford leaves only, in the spring, do not at all differ from each other, in their first stage of organization, as buds. Each contain the rudiment of leaves only, which are subsequently transformed into the component parts of the blossom and in some species of the fruit also. I have repeatedly ascertained that a blossom of a Pear or Apple-tree contains parts which previously existed as the rudiments of five leaves, the points of which subsequently form the five segments of the calyx; and I have often succeeded in obtaining every gradation of monstrosity of form, from five congregated leaves (that is, five leaves united circularly upon an imperfect fruit-stalk), to the perfect blossom of the Pear-tree. The calyx of the Rose, in some varieties, presents nearly the perfect leaves of the plant, and the large and long leaves of the Medlar appear to account for the length of the segments, in the empalement of its blossom. The calyx of the blossom of the Plum and Peach-tree is formed precisely as in the preceding cases, except that the leaves which are transmuted into the calyx separate at the base of the fruit, and become deciduous, instead of passing through and remaining a component part of it." (Transactions of the Horticultural Society, vol ii. p. 364. May 6, 1817.)