ON THE STRUCTURE OF CRUCIFEROUS FLOWERS. 13 
missible theory explained perfectly the apparent opposition of the 
stigmata to the placente. 
Mr. Brown, in 1817, in his celebrated Essay on the Composite, 
comparing the fruit of that order with those of Cruciferæ, considers 
these latter to be made up of two united carpidia ; but he does not 
allude to the position of their placentz with regard to the stigmata, 
the great stumbling-block in this Order. De Candolle, in his 
Systema* and in his Prodromus,t adopted the same formulary, 
and with the same reserve. 
M. Lestiboudois, in his Memoir,t combats the opinion of De 
Candolle, given in his Théorie Elémentaire. Although we consider 
his system as to compound fruits to be altogether erroneous, never- 
theless he has perfectly explained the nature and origin of the dis- 
sepiment. “ Les prolongements intérieurs," he says, “ne sont que 
des saillies du bord trophospermique.” || 
Mr. Brown shortly afterwards expressed the same opinion: “The 
dissepiment in this family is nevertheless formed of two lamellæ, 
derived from the parietes of the fruit.” § 
— The examination of the structure of the fruit in Escholtzia Cati- 
fornica induced Dr. Lindley to create an entirely new theory to 
explain the position of the stigmata and placentæ in Cruciferze. J 
He imagines that the intervals which separate the two placentæ 
form each an ovarian leaf, reduced to its smallest dimensions and — - 
surmounted by its stigma ; whereas the two greater valves represent _ 2 
two other ovarian leaves exceedingly developed, whose stigmata and — . 
placentæ are abortive. This very ingenious theory, which, though — 
not true, presents a most seductive appearance of reality, has been 
generally accepted. 
Professor Kunth** admitted, and illustrated it with figures, alde 
ing a peculiar opinion of his own as to the nature of the dup n 
* Fol. ii., p. 140. 
T Vol. i. p. 131. 
$ Sur les fruits siliq. p. 5. 
IL p. 15. 
§ App. Oudn. 1826, p. 12. | 
{ Bot. Reg. vol. xiv., 1828, fol. 1168. 
BEL. PME ocu 1833, p. 7. 
