132 STRUCTURE OF THE OVARY OF MARLEA, ETC. 
the carpels are reduced to two, which frequently occurs in B. ramentacea, 
agrees with Marlea in this character (the greater number, however, 
being right and left), and in its dichotomous inflorescence ; and, pos- 
sibly, Alangiee form one of the nearest approaches of the epigynous 
hermaphrodite Orders to Begoniacee. 
And, finally, opposite leaves—a character inconstant in Myrtacee 
and Combretacee—is not without exception in Cornacee, which still 
further approximates Alangiee and Cornacee: it appears, therefore, 
necessarily to follow that these two Orders are most nearly allied ; and, 
in fact, there is but little left to distinguish them, Marlea differing 
from Cornus more in its adnate anthers and more leaf-like cotyledons 
than in any other parts of its structure. 
Explanation of the Figures of PLATE V. 
A. Fig. 1. The style and stigma of Marlea begonifolia ; fig. 2, per- 
pendieular section of the ovary, the ovules being left entire; fig. 3, 
upper surface of the stigma; figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, transverse sections 
of the style; fig. 5, of its middle; fig. 7, of its base; and figs. 4 
and 6, at intermediate distances; fig. 8, section of the ovary, show- 
ing the relation of the cells to the cavity in the style and to the 
stigmas :—all much magnified. 
B. Fig. 1. The upper surface of the stigma of Cornus alba; figs. 2, 
3, and 4, sections of the style; fig. 3, of its middle; fig. 4, of its 
base; fig. 5, section of the ovary, showing the relation of the cells 
to the stigma and fissure in the style :—a// much magnified. 
C. Fig. 1. The upper surface of the stigma of Cornus sanguinea; fig. 2, 
section of its style; fig. 3, section of the ovary, showing the relation 
of the cells to the lobes of the stigma and style :—all much 
