If it proves to be real atavism and rare,
the case should be accurately described and figured, or photographed if
possible; and the exact position of the reverting bud should be
ascertained. Very likely the so-called dormant or resting buds are more
liable to reversions than the primary ones in the arils of the leaves of
young twigs. Then the characters of the atavistic branches should be
minutely compared with those of the presumed ancestor; they may be quite
identical with them or slightly divergent, as has been asserted in some
instances. The atavism may be complete in one case, but more or less
incomplete in others. By far the most interesting point is the question,
as to what is to be expected from the seeds of such an atavistic branch.
Will they keep true to the reverted character, or return to the
characters of the plant which bears the retrograde branch? Will all of
them do so, or only part of them, and how large a part? It is very
astonishing that this question should still be unsolved where so many
individual trees bear atavistic branches that remain on them through
long series of years. But then many such branches do not flower at all,
or if they flower and bear seed, no care is taken to prevent [183]
cross-fertilization with the other flowers of the same plant, and the
results have no scientific value.
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