Mr. Benruam’s Account of two new Genera allied to Olacineæ. — 681 
Structure of the ovary ; Endlicher“ associates it with Symplocos, from which it 
differs in the æstivation of the corolla and the ovary incompletely divided, two 
‘points in which it agrees remarkably with Olax and Ximenia. The objection 
as to the adherence of the ovary entirely loses its force, when it is considered 
that the greater part of that organ as well as the margin of the calyx are free, 
and that an adherence almost as complete exists in some species of Olax. 
The gamopetalous corolla is also a character of little consequence in orders 
where the æstivation is valvate, and it exists to a considerable degree in Olax 
itself. The stamens of Schwpfia are more closely adherent to the corolla than 
in other Olacineæ, but the filaments are filiform and prominent from the base 
of the corolla, and not confounded with its substance, as in those orders where 
they are truly epipetalous +. 
Cansjera has been usually referred to Thymeleæ, from which it differs in the 
nature of the floral envelopes, in the position of the stamens, in the structure 
of the ovary, and in that of the fruit; and in all these points it agrees with 
Opilia, from which it differs only in the coherence of the petals. 
The close affinity of Apodytes to Icacina will be evident from a comparison 
of my figure and description with those of Adr. de Jussieu. Pogopetalum dif- 
fers, however, in the compound nature of the ovarium ; but each cell with its 
ovules is so exactly the single cell of Apodytes, and the flowers agree so well 
with the general character of Olacinew, that the approximation will not be 
found, it is believed, to violate materially any important natural affinity. It 
is true that the ripe fruit and seed are as yet unknown, which leaves some doubt 
on the matter, though it does not occur to me that it comes near to any other 
order. Leretia is in almost all respects intermediate between Jcacina and 
Pogopetalum. — 
It will be observed, however, that the three groups, which I have designated 
as tribes, present some material differences from each other, especially in the 
structure of the ovary, and may perhaps, when better known, be considered as 
so many distinct orders. But with our present imperfect knowledge of seve- 
ral genera, and considering their evident connexion in many material points, I 
* Genera Plantarum, p. 744. ; 
+ Mr. Brown informs me that he considers Schepfia as a true Santalaceous and not an Olacineous 
genus; at all events, it is an additional proof of the close affinity of the two orders. 
