The limits
were chosen so as to be sufficiently trustworthy and easy to ascertain.
In each group the members could be counted, and a series of figures was
reached by this means which allowed of a further comparison of the
competing sets of plants.
It should be stated that in such experiments and especially in the case
of such a showy criterion as the pistilloid heads afford after the time
of flowering is over, the inspection of the controlling beds at once
indicates the result of the experiment. Even a hasty survey is in most
cases sufficient to get a definite conclusion. Where this is not the
case, the counting of the individuals of the various groups often does
not add to the evidence, and the result remains uncertain. On the other
hand, the impression made by the groups of plants on the experimenter
and on his casual visitors, cannot well be conveyed to the readers of
his account by [377] other means than by figures. For this reason the
result of the experiments is expressed in this way.
I made six groups. The first includes the cases where the whole circle
is reduced to small rudiments. The second shows 1-10 secondary capsules.
The two following constitute half a crown around the central fruit, the
third going up to this limit, the fourth going from this limit to a
nearly filled circle.
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