and on a new Genus of the Family Balanophorez. 99 
pear to me to be, the extraordinary simplicity of the female flowers, and the 
remarkable productions of the surface of the spike on which they are ar- 
ranged. 
From not having observed any change in the numerous pistilla (previously to 
examining Bal. polyandra and Bal. picta), although the browning of the style, 
and in some cases adherence of pollen-grains to it, had been distinctly seen, 
doubts had suggested themselves to me regarding the true nature of the above 
parts; and these were increased by examinations at very early periods, which 
did not present any state of the (subsequent) pistilla at all analogous to what 
occurs perhaps universally in Pheenogamous Angiospermous plants; and also 
by the permanence and evident importance of the termination of the remark- 
able receptacles. The same apparent imperfection of the female flowers ap- 
pears to have struck most observers* ; and prior to the determination of the 
point by the examination of the two species alluded to, I was inclined perhaps 
to consider this remarkable genus as presenting, at least in the specimens 
before me, an instance of abortion of pistilla, connected with a remarkable 
gemmiform apparatus. 
The resemblance of the pistilla to the pistilla of Musci, and more especially 
to those of some evaginulate Hepatice, is exceedingly curious and complete ; 
and the same may be said of the effects produced by the action of the pollen 
on the styles. Indeed, in the development of the female organ, the continuous 
surface of the style before fecundation, and its obvious perforation after, 
Balanophora presents a direct affinity to a group of plants, with which other 
wise it has not a single analogy. : 
If these highly remarkable points of structure are borne in mind, I think 
that it must be conceded that Balanophora can in no wise be associated sen 
such highly-developed families as Rafflesiacee and Cytineæ, which, especially 
the former, are in my opinion to be taken as exhibiting a highly complex 
forination of even both sexes. 
* See Arnott's characters in Hooker's Icon. Pl., loc. cit. &c. broche pali Siu 
T In Bal. (Polyplethia) polyandra it is not uncommon to find grains much like the pollen-grains, 
and nearly of the same size, adhering to the style. Generally I — opted them adhering to 2 A 
little below the apex. The discoloration and lengthened maceration hindered me pn o: ti 
down the canal of the style, which in this species was rarely observed to present so wide a separation 
or laceration of the parts forming its extreme apex as in the other species. 
o 2 
