'^r-^\ -.; 



f J 





- -v-_- - ■ 



or SAPONAEIA OFFICMTALIS. 



161 



' ■ ^ ■ 



rv- 



^ 



.\ 



.adherent to the claws of the petals. There were also numerous 

 cases showing an intermediate condition between the ordinary 

 scale and that of two distinct stamens — some of these are drawn 

 m the sketch given below* A careful inspection of some very 

 young flower-buds showed that these scale-Hke stamens, though 

 formed subsequently to the petals, yet advanced more rapidly in 

 their development than the petals, from which in the first instance 

 they were perfectly distinct. 



From these circumstances it seems fair to infer that the scales 

 on the petals of the CaryopTiylletB are composed of two abortive 

 stamens united together, and in consequence that these bodies do 

 not constitute any real exception to the laws of alternation. 



The nature of the scales of the flowers of the species of Guscuta 

 has been explained by Mr. Babington in the Annals of Nat. Hist, 

 for 1844 in a similar way, but he does not adduce any positive 

 evidence in support of his opinion. 



The flowers of Saponaria above alluded to afforded instances of 

 both marginal and free central placentation. In the sketch are re- 

 presented cross sections of two ovaries (figs. 1,2), each consisting 



\ < 



■v 



■V 



hJ^' 



I " L 





r. ^:, -f: 



^.v'fJ'Vi 





■■■ 



■• -' 





,",'.yy\^.-_'^ 



/^ -.' 



- f 



^^ H 





of two carpels, and in each there is an evident connexion b 



Other bi-carpellary 



examined 



ovary 



ovuliferous column, apparentlv quite xmconnected 



the walls of the carpel 



ovary 



three carpels, slightly united 



distinct 



length, open along the ventral suture, and bearing ovules on their 

 Margins, as is shown in transverse section in the sketch (fig. 3). 

 Figure 4 shows one of three carpels ; the other two bore marginal 

 placentae, but in this one there was an ovuliferous cord, free from 

 tbe margins of the carpel, but connected with the style, which is 

 inflexed. Here it seems as if the two placentae had become 



- .-^. 



had 



margins of the carpel during growth 



union one with 





■ it-,- 



unfreque 



tlKK. PBOO.^BOTiJnr 



- - .'- ^ ; ■ 



'»: 



M 



n h 



V-' ■■v>i- 







■Jt 



