162 Mr. J. Miers on the Affinities of the Olacacese, 



estimating the value of these conflicting opinions, I will endea- 

 vour to show, that notwithstanding their extreme divergence, 

 they will allow of a considerable degree of approximation. 



We have the strongest evidence of the approach of the Ola- 

 cacece towards the Santalacece, in the singular and important 

 consideration of the structure of the ovarium and the seed ; and 

 if we consider the biserial floral envelopes of many of the genera 

 of the latter order to be calyx and corolla, both of which are 

 often most distinctly developed, as in Choretrum, Leptomeria, 

 Leptonium and Mida, as also in Quinchamalium, Arjoona and 

 Myoschilos, it is clear that its relationship towards the Olacacece 

 is infinitely stronger than with the Thymeleacece, Proteacece and 

 Lauracece, to which, in fact, they claim but a most distant affinity. 

 This consideration did not escape the penetration of Mr. Brown, 

 who more than forty years ago, and some time before the esta- 

 blishment of the family of the Olacacece, suggested* that the floral 

 envelope called perianthium in the Santalacece may be looked 

 upon as analogous to the same organ called corolla in Olax, and 

 the calycular appendages may be viewed as a distinct calyx, 

 alike in both instances ; and hence, with equal reason in one 

 case as in the other, we may consider the floral envelopes to be 

 dichlamydeous rather than monochlamydeous : or we may 

 imagine, that at a very early period in the development of the 

 bud, the calyx and corolla have become connate, and hence 

 grown into one common envelope, — an hypothesis rendered very 

 probable from the constant thickness of its substance, and its 

 divisibility into two distinct laminse. I was led to a similar 

 conclusion many years since by the examination of the Chilean 

 genera Quinchamalium, Myoschilos and Arjoona, which have all a 

 very distinct calyx, while the more conspicuous envelope, hitherto 

 called perigonium, is decidedly petaloid in texture. Under this 

 point of view, a close relationship will be found to exist between 

 the Olacacece, Santalacece and Styracece, to which perhaps may 

 also be added the Myrsinacece (but not the Primulacece) , 

 and it would then remain to be decided, in what part of the 

 system such an alliance ought to find its place. I will not at 

 present stop to offer proof of the alliance of the Santalacece with 

 the orders above-mentioned, as I shall shortly have to revert to 

 that consideration, but assume the fact for the present as one 

 that admits of little doubt, and proceed to speak of the affinities 

 of the Olacacece in other quarters, taking this family within the 

 limits it has hitherto embraced. 



I have alluded to the relationship of the Olacacece with the 

 Styracece, but in so doing it is requisite here to state, that I 

 consider the Symplocacece as ordinally distinct from the Styracece, 

 * Prodr. 352. 



