109 



also to some extent related to the Berberidaceae, especially in the iiitegment of 

 the ovules. At the some time, the Ranunculacese is closely allied to the Dilleniaceae 

 and Oclmacese (both of the Parietales), aud in no less degree to th.3 Rosaceaa, iu 

 the aiTangement of the segments of the perianth and of the stamens, and also 

 in the arrangement of carpels in the case of the last family. Further, the 

 resemblance of the Rauuuculaceae and Alismatacese, although the two families 

 find places in the present system very far apart from each other, is incontes- 

 table, as can be seen in the indeterminacy numerous stamens, in the apocarpous 

 gynaecea and especially in the habits. The Rauuuculaceae are, therefore, besides 

 being referable to the Rauales, may be referred respectively to the Resales, 

 to the Parietales, or even to the widely separated Helobiae, according to the 

 different ways of looking at them. 



Anonaceae 15 (Rauales): This group is certainly allied to'the Magnoliaceoc 

 in the floral structure and in the presence of " Olgehalt." At the same time, 

 it bears a close relation to Malta of the Ebeuaceae in its rimose albumen and 

 in its trimerous flowers. Its natural position moves from one place to another, 

 however far apart it may be from the former, according to the view of the 

 systematize! 1 . 



Menispermaceae-* (Ranales) : Certainly this group is assignable to the 

 Ranales and can be placed next to the Berberidaceae according to one view. 

 But according to another view, it comes very close to the Sabiaceae (Sapindales) 

 in the structure of its flowers and fruit and even in its habit. In the male 

 flowers, the resemblance between the Meuispermaceaa and Dioscoreaceae (Lilii- 

 flone) is very striking and incontestable. Still more remarkable is the 

 coincidence of the Meuispermaceae and Euphorbiaceae (Gerauiales) as is seen 

 in the several genera of both families . Its natural position is changeable from 

 a place in the Rauales to one in the Sapindales and Geraniales or even to 

 one in the Liliiflorae. 



Kceberliniaceae 3) (Rhoeadales) : This group is, according to one view, to 

 be brought near the Saxifragaceao (Rosales), but according to another view, it 



1) Nat. Pfl.-fam. HI. 2, p. 23. 



2) DIKLS, L. Menispermacere, in das Pflanzenreich, IV. 94, p. 41. 



3) Nat. Pa.-fam. III. 6, p. 321. 



