»g 



the little hypogynous scales are the rudiments of two pe\ah, and the stamens 

 alternate with these in the normal manner. This may be rendered more clear 

 by the following diagram, 



in which the triangle ABB represents the outer series, or palese, or calyx, A 

 being the inferior valve, and B B the superior, formed of two sepals united by 

 their contiguous margins at x. If the triangle C D D be understood to repre- 

 sent the next series, the position of the parts will be at the three angles : and 

 in reality the two scales that are usually developed do occupy the places D D ; 

 while the third, whenever it is superadded, is stationed at C. The triangle 

 E E F indicates by its angles the normal position of the first series of stamens, 

 which are actually so situated, the stamen F which is opposite the sepal A al- 

 ternating with the rudimentary petals D D. 



The principal objection to this is, that the parts of the supposed calyx or 

 paleee are not inserted upon the same plane, or truly verticillate, and conse 

 quently do not answer exactly to what is required in a floral envelope ; and it 

 is on this account that M. Turpin rejects Mr. Brown's opinion, giving the paleae 

 the name of spathelle, and considering them bractea: of a second order. But 

 after all, this is a question of words rather than of facts ; for what are sepals 

 but bractea? of a second order ? and what difficulty is there in identifying brac- 

 teee having the near approach to a verticillate state, and the perfect symmetry 

 of position that those of Grasses possess, with a kind of dislocated calyx 1 



I know, however, from a conversation with my friend M. Kunth, that he en- 

 tertains a different view of the nature of the floral envelopes, considering the hy- 

 pogynous scales to be analogous to the ligula, and the normal state of Grasses 

 to be hexandrous ; but as I unfortunately cannot discover the place in which 

 he has explained this theory more fully, I refrain from dwelling upon it* 



M. Raspail, in a memoir upon the structure of Graminea?, hazards a strange 

 theory that the midrib of the bracteae of Grasses is an axis of developement in 

 cohesion with the bractea>, and that when it separates, as in Phleum, Bromus, 

 or Corynephorus, it is attempting to revert to the functions of ulterior develope- 

 ment, for which it is more especially destined. Among other things he states 

 {Ann. des Sc. 4. 276. E.) that he should not be surprised one clay to find some 

 Grass in which the midrib of the lower palea actually became a new axis 

 bearing other florets. I mention this for the sake of remarking that such a 

 case is known, without however admitting that it is any confirmation of M 

 Raspail's views, which are at direct variance with the laws of vegetable de- 

 velopement, for reasons which are so obvious, as to render it altogether unne- 



* Revision des Graminees publiees dans le Nora genera et species plantarvm de M M. Hum- 

 boldt et Bonpland, preeedee d'un travail general sur la famille des Graminees: par C S 

 Kunth, 100 col pits, fol., Paris, 1829, no, 1—7. 



