SOUTH AMERICAN PLANTS. 47 
process, which I have shown to exist in all the Nolanacee, 
possesses any direct resemblance, in its nature and origin, 
to the salient “strophiole (Celomphala, Schrad.)” that is 
seen attached to the perforated nuts of many Borragem, ac- 
cording to the descriptions of the late Prof. Spenner (Nees 
Gen. Plant, tom. 2, tab. 69—73), it is not now necessary to 
determine, it being sufficient for our present purpose to indi- 
cate the fact, and to add that they differ from the whole of 
that family, in the form and position of their embryo, as well 
as in habit and inflorescence. With Convolvulacee, as Prof. 
Lindley remarks, many analogies exist, but they differ in 
their simple, not imbricate calyx, in their distinct ovaria and 
the important character of their embryo. I shall presently 
attempt to show that the hitherto anomalous genus Gra- 
bowskya, is referrible to a position between Borraginee and 
Nolanee, and Dichondree will then form an excellent con- 
necting link between Nolanee and Convolvulee, to the former 
of which this small group has a very close affinity, on account 
of the almost gynobasic origin of its nearly distinct carpels, 
and also because its embryo is really cyclical, notwithstanding 
that the, cotyledons, at their extremity, are bent back ina 
sigmoid form, after having completed more than an entire 
helix, somewhat in the manner of the embryo of Convolvulus, 
but it is to be remarked, that although the cotyledons of 
Dichondra are broader than the radicle, and more foliaceous 
than those of Nolanee, they are simply parallel, and have not 
their margins crumpled and conduplicated, as in the true 
Convolvulee. Doctor Lindley observes (Nat. Syst. 230) that 
<if we attend to the embryo, they will stand among Convol- 
vulacee, if to the carpels, among Nolanacee : upon the whole 
the latter must be accounted of the most importance, and 
‘consequently it is with Nolanacee that I arrange them.” I 
find on examining the seed of Dichondra repens, that the 
utricle falls away from its receptacular attachment, showing 
a distinctly round perforate aperture at base, and on the 
receptacle are to be seen opposite the opening, two distinct 
prominences, corresponding to what, by analogy, may be 
