98 Mr. Brown’s Observations on the 
number subject to.reduction, that this reduction, where the flower 
is of a regular form, takes place in the same order in.each natural 
family. Thus in Juncee, which are generally hexandrous, the tri- 
androus species have theirstamina constantly placed opposite to 
the three outer leaves of the perianthium, while in Restiaceæ, As- 
phodelez,: and I, believe in a great. part of the regular-flowered 
Liliaceæ, in certain species of which a similar reduction occurs, 
the stamina in the triandrous species are placed opposite to the 
inner leaves or segments of the perianthium. But in both cases 
the greater perfection of those. stamina that exist in genera or 
species reduced. to the smallest number, is indicated, where there 
is no reduction, by the earlier bürsting of their antheræ ; so that 
from. this circumstance the order of reduction or abortion of sta: 
mina in any natural family may with: some confidence be pre- 
dicted by an exaniination of those genera where the number. is 
complete. ———— — 
- Wherever the separation of sexes takes place, it may be assumed 
that the female flower. is the more perfect production. And if 
this-be admitted, where both sexes exist in the same simple spike 
the female should be found at its base, or where expansion com- 
mencés, which is almost uniformly the case. For the same: rea- 
son, in the trifid or trichotomous inflorescence, the female should 
be placed in the centre, which is also generally the fact *. 
- This connexion between præcocity and perfection of develop- . 
ment is even more constant than the order of expansion in certain 
forms of inflorescence ; as it is found to extend to several of the 
exceptions to this order. to r; | roti 
Thus in the apparently simple spike of Poterium, where the | 
order of expansion is descendent, the female flowers occupy the 
* To this order the most remarkable exception occurs in Begonia, in which the male 
flowers are central, and expand long before the lateral female flowers. 4 
upper 
