branches, then the first whorl in which the developement 

 takes place will settle the origin of all that succeed it. For 

 example, if in one whorl of six leaves the first, third, and 

 fifth leaves produce axillary buds, then in the whorl next 

 above it, the second, fourth, and sixth leaves will probably 

 be gemmiferous, according to the ordinary laws of decussa- 

 tion. It is plainly impossible to say that what seem to be 

 leaves are in reality stipules, because they have no axillary 

 buds ; for if that opinion were maintained, it would be 

 necessary to assign the quality of stipules to a certain por- 

 tion of the leaves of such verticillate plants as Dysophylla 

 stellata, in which only a part of the whorls ever produces 

 branches. 



2. If it is true that in Asperula two opposite leaves are 

 frequently longer than the others, that circumstance may be 

 reasonably ascribed to the greater developement consequent 

 upon their higher functions, and to their peculiar position on 

 the stem ; and it is equally true that in the greater part of 

 Galiaceae no trace whatever of any kind of difference between 

 the leaves can be detected, as is most remarkably the case in 

 those surrounding the flowers of Crucianella maritima. 



3. The argument derived from the occasional connection 

 of the leaves by a membrane can hardly be allowed much 

 weight when it is remembered that in such cases the inter- 

 mediate leaves are less like stipules than in those cases where 

 no membrane exists ; compare Asperula cynanchica, or lit- 

 toralis, or longiflora, with such genuine Crucianellas as C. 

 maritima. 



4. The comparison of the supposed stipules of Galiaceae 

 and the setae of Spermacoceae is inadmissible, because the 

 former are at all events single simple organs, be they what 

 they may, while the setae of Spermacoceae are the result of 

 the splitting of two parallel-veined stipules, and therefore 

 will necessarily be uncertain in number. 



These arguments do not however by any means exhaust 

 the question, and therefore I proceed to make a few addi- 

 tional remarks upon a point not yet adverted to. It is in 

 Asperula, more than in any other genus of the order, that is 

 to be found evidence favourable to the supposition of M. De 



