AFFINITIES OF BALANOPHOREÆ. 9 
conceded by Gæppert and all observers, and which is easily demonstrated. Hence, 
besides the difficulty of reconciling the ‘theory of two origins for the vascular tissue in 
one plant to any known law, we must also break through the well-established law, that 
the formation of buds is a repetition of the process of germination. 
2. M.Gœppert accurately describes the vascular bundles of the inflorescence as origina- 
ting in the buds whilst still enclosed within the rhizome; but whereas he figures and 
describes them as having free terminations, I find them to become confluent with the 
vascular bundles of the rhizome. To any one versed in the dissection of vegetable tissues 
it can be no wonder that this is a point almost incapable of demonstrative proof in the solid, 
opaque tubers of Balanophoreæ, which generally turn of a deep brown when first cut, and 
become black in spirits; whose tissues cannot be torn; and in which the vascular bundles 
of the peduncle are so delicate, and run in such sinuous courses, that it is impossible so to 
bisect a plant that these bundles shall be traced continuously from the inflorescence to 
the base of the rhizome: I have, however, repeatedly found that the appearance of a free 
termination to the bundles is produced by cutting them obliquely across. A long mace- 
ration of the parts, and a careful picking away of the cellular tissues, are the only means 
I have found available for proving their confluence by direct observation; but at the same 
time I must confess that, whilst carrying on these dissections in various species of Bala- 
nophora, and in Rhopalocnemis, I have repeatedly changed my opinion, and indeed have 
on some occasions been almost convinced of the truth of the contrary view to that I have 
finally adopted, so deceptive are appearances. _ 
In the tuberous Helosideæ, and in Cynomorium and Sarcophyte, the bundles of the 
rhizome are so unsymmetrically arranged, so much smaller in diameter, and so much 
more tortuous, that I have hitherto been unable to trace this confluence in them; whereas 
in both species of Helosis, and in Langsdorffia, which present the most perfect develop- 
ment of a cylindrical rhizome, the origin of the vessels of the peduncle in those of the 
rhizome is perfectly evident, and requires little skill in dissection to demonstrate. 
+ 8. With regard to the anatomical differences stated by M. Geeppert to exist between 
the vessels forming the vascular system of the rhizome and of the peduncle, they 
- certainly do not exist in all the species. This is however quite consistent with Goeppert’s 
analysis being perfectly accurate, for it is to be expected both that the vessels of the 
perennial rhizome should differ from those of the annual peduncle, and that from the 
form and direction of development of these organs being essentially different (the one 
chiefly increasing in breadth and the other in length), their vessels would be different also. 
In Balanophora the cellular sheath enclosing the vascular bundles is the same in the 
rhizome and peduncle (except that the individual utricles are longer in the latter); in 
both cases the cells are colourless, void of solid contents, and with few dots or markings 
on their walls; thus always contrasting strongly in appearance with the adjacent paren- 
chyma, which abounds in wax. (See Plates IV., VI. &e.) j 
- In the fully-formed flowering specimen of B. involucrata (Plate IV. fig. 1), I find no 
greater differences between the vessels in the rhizome and those in the peduncle than 
might be expected in organs so dissimilar in age and proportions. Plate IV. fig. 14. is a 
transverse, and 15. a vertical section of å vascular bundle from below the capitulum, com: 
VOL. XXII. C 
