Linncean Society, 193 



regarded as only a subordinate modification of that genus, and gives 

 an arrangement of the known species in conformity with that view. 



In connexion with these genera Mr. Griffith gives his views of the 

 nature and composition of the stigma, which are essentially similar 

 to those published by Mr. Brown in the second part of Dr. Horsfield's 

 ' Plantse Javanicse Rariores/ to which work Mr. Griffith refers in a 

 note stating that he did not become acquainted with it till several 

 months after his own observations were written. He defines the stigma 

 to be " the external communication of the conducting tissue, which 

 itself communicates with the placentae, and is in several cases at least 

 (as in Trewia nudifiora) manifestly a continuation from them." Of 

 its theoretical origin he desires to speak with caution, but notices 

 two distinct cases of monstrosities affecting two Leguminous plants, 

 in which the stigmatic surface is evidently a continuation of the pla- 

 cental margins of the carpellum. The ordinary relations may, he 

 thinks, be obscured by several causes ; such as separation of parts 

 usually cohering, cohesion of parts usually distinct, division of the 

 stigmatic part of the style, and division of the style of the simple 

 carpellum. The stigmata of each carpellum may be distinct from 

 each other or from those of the next carpellum ; or adhesion may 

 take place between stigmatic surfaces ordinarily distinct, whereby 

 the stigmata so resulting appear to alternate with the styles. In- 

 stances of the former occur in Euhalus ; of the latter in Orohanche, 

 if the author's observations are correct, in Papaveracece, and perhaps 

 in all cases in which the stigmata, being apparently equal in number 

 to the placentae, are said to be opposite to them. 



The succeeding portion of Mr. Griffith's memoir relates to Mystro- 

 petalon, Harv., referred by Sir Wm. J. Hooker to the order Rhizan- 

 thecB, group Balanophorece. Mr. Griffith, on the contrary, who de- 

 scribes the Mystropetalon Thomii from specimens obtained from Mr. 

 Harvey, regards it as a plant sui ordinis, having no relation to any 

 other plant admitted into Rhizanthece except Cynomorium, to which 

 it seems to him to present considerable resemblance in the structure 

 of the stamen and of the female flower. It also offers, he thinks, 

 curious agreements with Loranthacea, and he would at present con- 

 sider it (doubtfully) as the homogeneous-embryo form of that order 

 which he takes to include Proteacece, Santalacece, &c., and which 

 nearly agrees with Prof. Lindley's alliance Tubiferce. 



Sarcophyte also is described from specimens transmitted by Mr. 

 Harvey. Mr. Griffith regards its affinities as very obscure ; he ob- 

 jects to its being placed either in CytinecB, Cy7wmoriace(e, or Bala- 

 nophorea, and suggests that on the whole the general tendency of the 

 plant is towards Urticece. 



Mr. Griffith next examines the family of Balanophore(S, and gives 

 distinctive characters of Balanophora, Langsdorffia, Phceocordylis, 

 Helosis and Scybalium. The following are the characters which he 

 assigns to Balanophora and Phceocor'dylis : — 



Balanophora, Forst. 

 iS'ed^Ms diclines, rarissime monoclines. Flores masciili bracteati. Perian- 

 Ann, ^ Mag. N. Hist, Vol, xv. P 



