MR. R. A. ROLFE ON THE APOSTASIER. 225 
that most of the epigynal alliance arose from some point alon 
the branch which produced the Coronariee, and that at some 
point of the Epigynal branch the Arrhizogonee (n. 9, figs. 1 and 
2) were developed. 
The Arrhizogonee *, in which the culminating point of deve- 
lopment of the Monocotyledones is reached, is separated from 
the remainder of the Epigyne by the minute exalbuminous seeds, 
with reticulated testa and apparently homogeneous embryo. 
Hydrocharidee has been artificially grouped together with the 
two Orders which the above group comprises, on account of its 
minute exalbuminous seeds; but in other respects it presents 
so many important differences, that it is tolerably certain its affi- 
nities are more remote. 
The Arrhizogonal branch now bifureates, giving rise, on the 
one hand to Burmanniacee (n.8), on the other to Orchidee 
(n. 7)—the former with the andrecium quite regular, adnate to 
the perianth, and free from the gynecium; the latter with the 
andrecium highly irregular, adnate to the gynecium but free 
from the perianth. 
The Orchideous branch now bifureates into Diandre (n. 5) 
and Monandre (n. 6)—the former with the two lateral stamens 
of the inner whorl perfect, the median stamen of the outer whorl 
either perfect or modified into a barren staminode, or occasionally 
quite absent, and the pollen-grains simple; the latter with the 
median stamen of the outer whorl alone developed, and the pollen- 
grains either united in tetrads, or still further aggregated in 
masses. 
The Diandrous branch bifurcates into Apostasie@ (n. 3) and 
Cypripediee (n. 4)—the former with the perianth nearly regular, 
the column very short, being equalled or exceeded by the free 
portions of the filaments, the anthers always distinctly elongated, 
generally versatile, the pollen dry, and the style very slender 
and much elongated; the latter with the perianth highly 
irregular, the column more elongated, the anthers very short 
and basifixed, the pollen-grains connected together by a viscid 
fluid exudation, and the style short and terminated by an enlarged 
stigma. 
The Apostasiee diverge into two genera, Neuwiedia (n. 1) and 
Apostasia (n. 2); the former with three perfect anthers, the 
* Pfitzer, Nat. Anordn. Orch, p. 95. 
