79 
melia, Sticta, Lecidea, Biatora) have an indeterminate existence. 
The life-period does not terminate with the maturation of the 
spores, as with the majority of fungi. 
8. The spore-bearing tissue of lichens is of little functional 
value, hence it degenerates or becomes converted into a chloro- 
phyll-bearing assimilating tissue (sterile Parmelias and Cladonias ; 
podetia of C/adonia, thalloid exciple). Among the fungi the 
Sporogenous tissue becomes functionally more and more spe- 
cialized. 
9. Lichens contain chemical compounds (lichenin, acids, etc.) 
which do not occur among fungi. 
10. Morphological similarities (in the vegetative tissues of 
lichens and fungi they rarely occur) do not indicate similarity in 
function. (See 1.) 
Finally I will again urge the necessity of conducting modern 
biological research from the standpoint of morpho-physiology. 
It will be productive of reliable and harmonious conclusions. 
The Affinities of Dendrobangia Rusby.* 
By H. H. Russy. 
(PLATE 294.) 
The family Olacineae, as treated by Bentham and Hooker 
(Gen. Plant, 1: 342 and 995) comprises four tribes. Olaceae has 
the ovary normally 3~-5-celled, occasionally 1-celled by suppres- 
sion, with two pendulous ovules in each cell. Opilieae has the 
‘Ovary I-celled, with one erect ovule. Icacineae has the ovary 
formally t-celled with two, rarely one by abortion, unilaterally 
dendulous ovules. Phytocraneae has characters very similar to 
those last mentioned. 
Dr. Engler (Pflanzenfamilien, 3: Abt. 5, 233) separates the two 
tribes last mentioned, under the family Icacinaceae, grouping them 
With the Aceraceae, Celastraceae and Anacardiaceae, referring the 
Euphorbiaceae, also to this group. ‘ The two tribes first mentioned 
he retains in the family Olacinaceae and groups them with the 
Aristolochiaceae, Loranthaceae and Urticaceae. 
*Mem. Torr. Bot. Club, 6: 19. 
