100 



the existence of apetalous species in polypetalous genera to be reconciled with 

 such a theory ? Besides this, is not the circumstance described by Mr. Brown 

 of the stamina not being covered by the supposed petals in the slightest degree 

 in any stage of development, an admission that in Reseda itself the formation of 

 the stamens is anterior to that of the corolla ? and if this is true of perfect sta- 

 mens, why should it not be true of sterile ones ? Mr. Brown also states that 

 at the period when what he calls the unguis of the petals (but what I call the. 

 calyx of the neutral florets) is scarcely to be detected, that part which is com- 

 monly called the disk (but which I consider the calyx of a sterile floret) is 

 hardly visible also. Is not this a proof of the identity of the two parts ? and if 

 so, they must be either all disks, which is absurd, or all calyxes, which is that 

 for which I contend. 



With regard to the third objection, that the processes of the supposed petals 

 of Reseda are analogous to those of Silene, Lychnis, &c, I entertain a different 

 opinion, for the following reasons : The coronal processes of Silene consist of 

 cellular tissue only, without any trace of vessels, and are analogous to the crests 

 or lamellae upon the labellum of Orchideee, the anomalous subulate processes 

 of Gilliesia, the scales of the orifice of some Boragineas, the hump on the calyx 

 of Scutellaria, and perhaps also the ligula of grasses. But in Reseda each of 

 the processes has a central vascular axis, and is anatomically undistinguisha- 

 ble from the filament of the fertile stamens ; being thus analogous to the ligu- 

 late or subulate processes of Blittneriaceas, or the coronal processes of 

 Schwenkia, Brodisea, and Leucocoryne, all of which are notoriously abortive 

 stamina. I know of no instance of mere processes arising from the surface of 

 a petal having a vascular axis : for Polygala, after the explanation that has 

 been given of its structure by Auguste ' St. Hilaire, will hardly be considered 

 an instance : neither am I acquainted with any case of sterile stamens being 

 destitute of such an axis, unless they are in a very rudimentary state, which 

 those of Reseda are not. 



To conclude, I would beg those who still entertain doubts upon this subject 

 to examine Reseda Phyteuma, and to set out in their inquiry from that species, 

 in which, according to Mr. Don, (Ed. Neiv Phil. Journ. Oct. 1828,) one of 

 the sterile stamens occasionally bears an anther ; a statement which, if there 

 is no mistake, sets the question at rest for ever. Viewing the structure of 

 Reseda in the usual way, its affinity would be obviously with Capparideae, with 

 which it entirely agrees in its seeds ; but in the light in which I see it, its 

 proximity will be to Euphorbiacere and Datiscea?, particularly to the latter.; 

 and if to them, also to Corylacese and Ulmaceae, with the calyx of which, espe- 

 cially that of the staminiferous flowers of Fagus, the calyx of Reseda has 

 much in common. I consider that Resedacea? bear about the same relation to 

 Euphorbiaceas, as Campanulaceaa to Composite, as Cinchonaceae to Stejlatae, 

 or as Hydrangeaceae to Viburnum. 



Geography. Weeds inhabiting exclusively Europe, the adjoining parts of 

 Asia, the basin of the Mediterranean, and the adjacent islands. 



Properties. Nothing further is known of them than that Reseda luteola 

 yields a yellow dye, and that the Mignonette (R. odorata) is among the most 

 fragrant of plants. 



Examples. Reseda, Ochradenus. 



