OF OJtiGANIZATIOJf.

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multiplied petals only, in the place of the organs es-sential to the propagation of the species; and in certaincircumstances, the whole flower itself is replaced by agemma or bud (26), when the plant which bears it istermed viviparous.

So with respect to the appropriate organization ofparticular plants. Each species is naturally furnishedwith flowers, of a determinate structure, having a cer-tain number of stamens and pistils, as well as of divi-sions or parts in their integuments, all which are con-nected together, in an appropriate mode, in everyflower. But circumstances sometimes cause an alter-ation, frequently in the comparative number of suchparts or divisions, though very rarely in their mode ofconnexion.

Such are accidental variations, which a competentdegree of attention and caution in the observer willenable him to guard against. Their study, cautiouslypursued, may often throw light on those more perma-nent diversities of structure, which occupy the studiesof the profound botanist, and of which I would nowattempt somewhat of a comparative view.

In general, the aberrations of Nature in plants beara considerable analogy to her accidental variations,but are, of course, much more diversified and exten-sive. Thus, in tribes very nearly akin, a correspond-ing number in the parts of fructification is found liableto many more exceptions than a similarity of connexionpr insertion. In the Caryophyllece, Juss. 82. Linn. 22,