MH. G. BEISTHAM OK MYHTACKyE. 157 



be reduced to 300 ; but this is still a very large number, render- 

 ing the task of grouping exceedingly difficult when there is so 

 very litfle in their characters of absolute diiFerence definable in 

 words. Berg has, indeed, proposed to separate five genera upon 

 modifications of the calyx-limb and anthers ; but in going through 

 a considerable number of species, these difterences have fre- 

 quently appeared to us so difficult to appreciate, and so little in 

 accordance with habit, that we cannot but agree with Grisebach 

 in reuniting them all with Mijrcia. The division of this over- 

 grown genus into good sections must be the work of renewed 

 and patient investigation. The Bergian genera are : 



1. Mijrcia^ which he limits to 188 species, with the stamens 

 inserted immediately round the margin of the ovary, without any 

 development of the calyx-limb below them. 



2. Aulomyrcia^ of which he enumerates 251 species, distinguished 

 by the calyx-tube being more or less evidently produced between 

 the margin of the ovary and the insertion of the stamens. This 

 character is sometimes very prominent ; but In other cases it is very 

 difficult to say whether the interval is perceptible or not. Its un- 

 certainty will indeed be manifest by a glance at Berg's analysis of 

 Aulomyrcia ohovata^ Berg, FL Bras. Myrt. t. 19, which is said to 

 have "Hypanthium supra germen valde productum/' and ofMyrce- 

 eugcnia myrtoides, Berg, I, c, t. 25, which ought to have " Hypan- 

 thium supra germen baud productum." 



3. Calyptromyreia^ 9 species, with the calyx-tube produced below 

 the stamens, as inAuIomyrcia, but the limb less deeply divided above 

 them, showing an approach to Marlieria, The outermost petal 

 is also much larger than the others ; but this irregularity occurs 

 also in other Myrcice. 



4. Qomidezia^ 48 species, with the calyx oi Aulomyrcia, but with 

 larger anthers, the cells opening by a shorter and more oblique 

 slit, and one of them often placed higher up than the other. 



5. Cerquieriaj a single species, very much like several Gomide- 

 zice of Berg*s group oi Magnifolice, but in which the anthers are 

 said to be 4-celled, opening in as many terminal pores. This, 

 however, seems to be a delusion, arising from the anthers having 

 opened already in the bud, and the margins of the slits being 

 closely involute, so as apparently to divide the cells. It must be 

 recollected also that, in the majority of Myrtacea) as in other 

 plants with so-called 2-celled anthers, each cell before opening is 

 more or less completely divided by a longitudinal septum oppo- 

 site to the line of dehiscence. 



