179 



8 AlismataceEe n : Certainly related to the ButoniaceEe aud Juucagi- 

 nacete. But, so far as habit and floral structure are concerned, it can not be 

 denied that a close affinity exists between the Alismataceae and the Ranun- 

 culaceffi. The Triuridacese resemble the Alismatacese in having numerous free 

 carpels. 



9 Butomacese J) : Related to the Alismataceae, Tilmldaceae and Hydro- 

 charitaceae. 



10 Hydrocharitaceae s) : If we lay great stress upon the inferior position 

 of the ovary, the family is comparable with the Bromeliacea3, Ainaryllidaceae, 

 Iridacere, Burinanniacese and Orchidacese. If we think otherwise, the case is 

 altogether different. Thus, with respect to the structure of seeds and pollen, 

 it (such as HalopUlci) bears a close relation to some genera of the Potanioge- 

 tonaceee ; but, in view of the axillary position of flowers, the perianth, and the 

 parietal placenta, it is closely allied to the Mayacac3Ee. 4) 



Series III. Tria riddles 



11 TriuridaceaB B) * This family is to some extent comparable with the 

 OrchidaceaB and Burmanniaceae in its habit ; and also to the AHsmatacese and 

 Butoniacese in the many free carpels ; but in other respects, as is suggested 

 by some authors, it is rather related to the Dicotyledons. 



Series IV. GUuniflortv 



12 Graminese' : Certain affinity of the family with the Cyperacere is 

 evidently conceivable. It is also comparable with the Juncaceee 7) , and is a 

 well marked family. As is generally the case with well - defined families, the 

 classification of the species or genera of the Grammes is a difficult task. 

 There is no good character which can be regarded as a distinguishing trait 

 for a tribe or subtribe. It is rather the combination of characters that can 

 be taken for the latter. No tribe nor large genus in this family is defined 

 with any acuracy. Ah 1 members are related to one another as if they were 

 a network. The relative positions of tribes, genera and species are, therefore, 



1) 1. c. II 1, p. 229. 2) Nat. Pfl.-fani. II 1, p. 233. 



3) 1. c. II. 1, pp. 246 and 201. 4) 1. c. II.- 4, p. 18. 



5) 1. c. II. 1, and 237. 6) Nat. Pfl.-fam. II. 2, p. 16. 



7) JEFFREY, E. C. 1. c. p. 413. 



