176 Eloge of Baron Cuvier. 



increasing ravages of a frightful malady, nor any other cause, 

 could prevent all ranks and all classes from attending, and 

 carrying their last homage even to his tomb ? But has not the most 

 honourable homage which has been paid to him, arisen out of 

 the void which was immediately felt in every situation where he 

 was engaged ? 



I honour, as I ought, the indisputable merit of those who 

 have been called upon to succeed him in the different stations 

 which he filled, the number of which has astonished every one ; 

 but however well they may be filled, who would doubt, that if 

 M. Cuvier could again appear, they would be restored to him 

 with acclamation ? In this acclamation, do you not recognise, 

 gentlemen, the infallible voice of posterity, which has already 

 caused itself to be heard ? To it I leave the completion of the task 

 which I have so imperfectly commenced, happy if your atten- 

 tion has hitherto followed me without fatigue, and if you have 

 not found me too unequal for the task which has been assigned 

 me. 



CHARACTERS OF NEW OR LITTLE KNOWN GENERA OF PLANTS. 



By Robert Wight, Esq. M.D, F, L. S. Hon. E.I. C.S., 

 and G. A. Walker Arnott, Esq. A, M. F. R. S.E. and 

 L, S. Communicated by the Authors. 



The simple generic character of Millingtonia given by Rox- 

 burgh, in his Flora Ind. vol. i. p. 102., although sufficiently ex- 

 act for the Linnean classification, in which those parts only are 

 accounted stamens that have pollen, conveys little information 

 as to the real structure of parts. The nectarial bodies opposite 

 the petals, are of a very singular shape. The apex (which Rox- 

 burgh erroneously represents free) is incurved, and attached in 

 front, similar to the petals of some umbelliferous plants, leaving 

 two large hollows, one on each side, as if for the reception of 

 the cells of an anther. Indeed, their whole appearance is that 

 of abortive stamens, in which light we feel disposed to view 

 them. The bifid scales, at the back of the fertile stamens, are 

 of a very different texture, and these, we believe, are abortive 

 petals. Thus, we have both stamens and petals heteromor- 



