380 Mr. MiEBS on a new Genus of Plants 



origin, as well as in the production of the lobes of the perianth into long seti- 

 form appendages, which are convolutely enclosed in aestivation, to that of the no 

 less singular little plant Triuris hyalina, formerly described before the Society 

 (Linn. Trans, xix. p. 78. tab. 7)- It is also worthy of remark, that the genus 

 Peltophyllum of Mr. Gardner (Linn. Trans, xix. p. 1 55. tab. 15), which is closely 

 allied to Triuris, exhibits a radical leaf on a distinct lengthened petiole, offering 

 another coincidental resemblance to Trtcca, although the peltate form and pecu- 

 liar venation of its leaf resembles more that of Cissampehs. It is true, that in 

 Tacca there are 6 stamens fixed to the tube of a 6-partite perianthium, three of 

 its lobes being smaller than the three other alternate ones ; that the large fleshy 

 connective which bears the anther is deflexed, so that it thus assumes an ex- 

 trorse aspect; that the inferior ovarium is 1-celled, as in Thismia, and the 

 ovules in like manner fixed on 3 parietal placentae ; that the seeds are borne 

 upon a pendent funiculus, which, being retroverted, gives them an ascendant 

 position, points in common in both cases : but their very distinct habit, the 

 mode of their growth, the presence of large fully-developed leaves upon long 

 radicular petioles, the mode of inflorescence, the existence of a distinct embryo 

 enclosed in albumen, and other striking differences, prevent any association of 

 these plants in the same natural order, the alliance of Tacca being evidently 

 close to Smilacece. Triuris, again, resembles Ophiomeris in the particulars 

 just alluded to ; but then its dioecious character, the union of its 3 pairs of 

 anther-cells on a central fleshy connective in the one sex, and its numerous 

 1 -seeded free ovaria in the other gender, remove it at once from Burman- 

 niacece. If however we imagine a plant with 3 pairs of anthers similar to 

 those of Tacca, their cucullate enlarged connectives being united into one 

 central fleshy column, we have a structure not very dissimilar from the male 

 flower of Triuris: indeed a somewhat similar structure is exhibited by Ruscus 

 in Smilacece. But although Tacca and Triuris ofitr several points of approach 

 towards this last-mentioned family, the same cannot be said of any of the 

 Burmanniacece, whose alliance is evidently close to the Orchidece. It is how- 

 ever to be borne in mind, that in Jristolochiea; and Menispermew we have 

 instances of stamens united in a central column, and in the latter case also 

 unisexual plants ; but the apparent want of decided cotyledonous form in the 

 embryo, the low degree of development in the whole plant, and the absence 



