axils of the sepals, so also in some fuchsias I have seen a ring of
stalked flower-buds alternating with the petals, which, together with
the stamens and pistil, remained unaffected. The number of parts in the
supernumerary structures is generally less than the normal flowers.

In Mr. Herbert Spencer's 'Principles of Biology,' part iv, p. 37, are
figured and described some monstrous inflorescences in _Angelica_ and
other _Umbelliferae_, from which, amongst other things, the author draws
the conclusion that there is no absolute distinction between leaf and
branch. Without staying for the moment to discuss this matter, it may
here be said that the Umbellifers in question apparently owe their
peculiarities rather to axillary prolification within the flower, or to
prolification of the inflorescence, than to an actual transformation of
a flower or any portion of a flower into an umbellule.[137]

In the 'Gardeners' Chronicle,' 1855, p. 551, an instance is figured of
the production of a supernumerary flower proceeding from the axil of a
stamen in a species of _Nymphaea_ (fig. 65). The ovary in this case was
wanting, but in its place was a tuft of small leaves. It is curious that
among Dr. Kirk's drawings of east tropical African plants now at Kew,
there should be one representing a precisely similar state of things.
The species in both instances was _Nymphaea Lotus_, or a cultivated
variety of it.

M. Wesmael[138] describes a very singular case of what appears to have
been referable to axillary prolification in the flowers of _Carex
acuta_. The rachillus is described as prolonged through the utricle by
the side of the stigmas, bearing on its side a bract, then a secondary
utricle, from the axil of which sprung a short stem surmounted by an
ovary. Wigand, 'Flora,' 1856, mentions a similar change in _Carex
glauca_. In this instance the base of the female inflorescence bore
lateral spikes, which projected from the utricles; some of these
adventitious spikes were female, others female below and male above,
others, again, wholly male.

[Illustration: FIG. 65.--Flower of _Nymphaea Lotus_, var., showing
axillary floral prolification. The section also shows the tuft of leaves
that occupied the place of the ovary.]

Various changes in the form and arrangement of the several floral whorls
accompany axillary prolification; some of these affect the particular
organ or organs implicated, and these only, while in other cases some
othe