On the other hand rich races of flattened stems are not entirely
lacking. They easily betray [411] themselves by the frequency of the
anomaly, and therefore may be found, and tried in the garden. Under
adequate cultivation they are here as rich in aberrant individuals as
the twisted races quoted above, producing in good years from 30-40% and
often more instances. I have cultivated such rich races of the dandelion
(_Taraxacum officinale_), of _Thrincia hirta_, of the dame's violet
(_Hesperis matronalis_), of the hawkweed (_Picris hieracioides_), of the
rough hawksbeard (_Crepis biennis_), and others.
Respecting the hereditary tendencies these rich varieties with flattened
stems may be put in the same category with the twisted races. Two points
however, seem to be of especial interest and to deserve a separate
treatment.
The common cockscomb or _Celosia cristata_, one of the oldest and most
widely cultivated fasciated varieties may be used to illustrate the
first point. In beds it is often to be seen in quite uniform lots of
large and beautiful crests, but this uniformity is only secured by
careful culture and selection of the best individuals. In experimental
trials such selection must be avoided, and in doing so a wide range of
variability at once shows itself. Tall, branched stems with fan-shaped
tops arise, constituting a series of steps towards complete atavism.
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