allied to the Natural Order Burmanniaceæ. 553 
to be considered as marginal; and although a confluence of the two stigmata 
of each carpel is the more usual structure, he adduces some cases, of compara- 
tively rare occurrence, in which the stigmata of the adjoining carpels are 
confluent, as in Parnassia, many Cruciferæ, and Papaveraceæ, as well as in 
the majority of Jide, such cases of deviation being often, according to him, 
obviously connected with adaptation of surface to the more complete perform- 
ance of function*. These views may in like manner be applied to Burman- 
niaceæ ; thus in Dictyostega we may conceive that there exists a conflüence, 
not only of the ovuliferous margins of the adjoining carpellary leaves, but of 
the adjacent stigmata of the several carpels, differing thus from Orchidee, 
where, in cases of their complete development, the stigmata of each carpel are 
united and remain distinct from those of the adjoining component part of the 
pistillum. The probability of this conclusion is strengthened by the appear- 
ance of the lateral lobes of the stigmata of Dictyostega, and by the two horn- 
like appendages of those of Apteria, as shown in the figures illustrative of 
these parts. Although the trilocular Burmanniacec will be seen to agree with 
those Zrideæ to which Mr. Brown has referred, by having the stigmata alter- 
nate with the placenta, they still differ from that order in having their stamens 
constantly opposite to the inner segments of the perianthium ; and notwith- 
standing the close affinity shown to exist between this family and Orchidee, 
we have here, independent of all other considerations, a sufficiently well-de- 
fined character in the position of stigmata, to establish a line of complete 
distinction between them. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES 
Tas. XXXVII. 
Fig. 1. Dictyostega orobanchioides. 
a. Flower, magnified, to show the æstivation. 
| b. Ditto, with the perianthium cut open, to show the stamens and 
. pistillum. 
c. Stamen, seen sideways. 
d. Ditto, seen in front, with one of tbe cells of the anther burst. 
* Plante Javanice, p. 110. 
