340 Mr. Griffith on the Root-Parasites referred to Rhizantheee, 



It may perhaps be said, that the analogies of Balanophora are in favour of 

 M. Endiicher's generic character; but it requires, in my opinion, a very ex- 

 alted idea to be h^ld of the value of parasitism, &c. to conceive any affinity 

 between Sarcophyte and Balanophora. 



I am also led to object to M. Endiicher's remark regarding the anthers of 

 Sarcophyte being in some measure analogous to those of Rajfflesia. To con- 

 stitute any such analogy, the spaces between the polliniferous bags (" tubuli " 

 of Endlicher) must be shown to have disappeared during the formation of the 

 pollen, and the enveloping membrane to have been continuous at one time 

 with the pollen-bags and the spaces between them ; even then the analogy 

 would I think be remote. Adopting M. Endiicher's views, the nearest analo- 

 gical structure would perhaps be the anther of Rhizophora. 



If the structure be as I suspect, Sarcophyte shows a very curious analogy 

 between its male flower and the fructification of certain Filices, such as Cya- 

 thea and Sphceropteris. 



Obs. III. — In all the ovaria I have examined, chiefly by means of sections, 

 I have observed a white central part, composed of smaller cells ; and in this 

 again a brown, generally central nucleus ; this nucleus has appeared as it 

 were suspended, being continued upwards into the brown line representing 

 the ordinary canal of communication, which passes directly into the stigmatic 

 tissue. In each of the brown nuclei, for there are not unfrequently two, there 

 is a separable cell, which, when highly magnified, and making due allowances 

 for alteration from having been dried, seems like a membranous bag filled 

 with grumous matter. I have not been able to ascertain what the relations 

 of this are with the surrounding brown tissue, or the changes it may be sup- 

 posed to undergo during the maturation of the fruit. 



It may be observed, that the term " ovarium uniloculare," though perhaps 

 strictly applicable, would scarcely suggest itself to the examiner. 



The mature nucleus or embryo is of a hard crustaceous consistence ; the 

 general appearance is that of some albumens. Under high magnifying powers, 

 the cells of which it is composed present singular appearances, as if their longer 

 faces or sides were encased in armour; from this deposit? the general indu- 

 ration probably arises. 



Obs. IV. — ^I'he affinities of this genus seem to me very doubtful. Bartling 



