But none of the peculiarities adverted to are opposed to those bodies being 
referred to depauperated or reduced bractese. 
With respect to the central body from which the stamens proceed, 
this body, which might be conveniently disposed of by referring it to 
what Linnaean Botanists call a nectarium, consists, as we have seen, of 
a fleshy slipper-like lobe, with or without two auricles at the base, and 
from within which the cup of stamens is exserted. The relation it bears, 
as regards insertion, to the parts which have been already noticed, is 
very obscure; it is always opposite the solitary external bractea; but 
whether it is anterior with respect to the common axis of inflorescence, 
or posterior, has not at present been ascertained. The reasons which have 
been offered for the view here taken of the parts surrounding this body, 
make it obvious that it must be considered the perianthium. But of this 
more will be said hereafter. For the present it will be sufficient to remark, 
that it manifestly bears an intimate relation to the stamens, being obliterated 
in the same direction and degree as they are. 
In the view, then, which is here taken of this genus, the petaloid 
segments are considered perfect bractese, the subulate interior processes 
abortive bractese, and the fleshy central labelloid body the perianthium. 
However paradoxical this description of Gilliesia may appear, and 
however inconclusive the arguments adduced in support of the view we have 
taken of it may have hitherto been considered, they will probably be found 
more deserving of attention if compared with a nearly allied plant discovered 
in Chile, by our friend John Miers, Esq., after whom it has been named. 
This singular genus forms part of a most valuable and remarkable collection 
of botanical drawings which were made by Mr. Miers during his long 
residence in Chile, and which, it is to be hoped, will, at some future day, be 
laid before the public. Having been kindly permitted to make use of 
the drawing and manuscript description of the plant alluded to, we shall 
endeavour to explain the analogies and relation which exist between it and 
Gilliesia. 
In Miersia, the bractese are six in number, of which two are interior 
and four exterior, a still more valid reason against their being segments of a 
perianthium. The subulate processes assume a more regular form, and a 
more constant mode of insertion, but still bear no very apparent relation to 
the bractese; and the fleshy labelloid central body is represented by an 
urceolate six-toothed cup, within the orifice of which six fertile stamens are 
included. In Miersia, therefore, the perianthium, which was in Gilliesia 
subject to a certain degree of imperfection, in which the stamens also partici¬ 
pated, is in the usual regular form of many Monocotyledones, no irregularity 
occurring in the stamens. As there can be no doubt of the strict analogy 
which exists between Gilliesia and Miersia in their fructification, and as 
there can also be little doubt that the central body of the latter genus is 
perianthium, it will follow as a necessary consequence, that as the supernu¬ 
merary appendages of that genus are external, with respect to the perian¬ 
thium, and therefore neither perianthium nor stamens, so also will the 
analogous appendages of Gilliesia, not be perianthium. And the central 
body having been ascertained to be perianthium, all the parts which surround 
it wdl necessarily be bractese, or modifications of bractese. 
The relation which exists between Gilliesia and Miersia will be rendered 
