786 ASARALES. [Epigynous Exogens. 



Alliance LVI. ASABALES. — The Asaral Alliance. 



Diagnosis. — Epigynous Exogens, with monochlamydeous flowers, and a small embryo, 

 lying in a large quantity of albumen. 



The place which Birthworts should occupy in a Natural arrangement is one of those 

 disputed points respecting which it is extremely difficult to amve at any positive con- 

 clusion. They are so anomalous in their woody structure, and so peculiar in then* tri- 

 merous flowers, A\'ith an inferior ovary abounding m ovules, that an obvious ally can hardly 

 be found for them. In fact they seem to be of an intei-mediate nature between Exogens 

 and Endogens or Dictyogens. The gi'eat livid calyx of Aristolochia calls to mind the 

 spathes of Arads : the leaves are those of Sarsaparillas. It is therefore probable that 

 they should be regarded as a group standing on the borders of the three Sub-classes just 

 mentioned, and joining them to each othei', just as Switzerland joins Austria, Italy, and 

 France. 



The points of resemblance between Birthworts, Sandalworts, and Loranths are their 

 want of coroUa, then- inferior ovary, their large albimien, and small embryo. These 

 appear to be cu-cumstances of greater weight than any distinctions that might be found 

 between them. The rim which appears at the summit of the ovary of Aristolochia is 

 possibly of the same nature as that of Loranths. 



It is not to be wondered at that here— amidst Orders which, although apparently at the 

 uttermost boundary of the vegetable kingdom, are really points of communication by 

 means of which the circles of affinity return mto themselves — we should find other ten- 

 dencies than that of Birthworts to assume the condition of Natm-al Orders stationed in a 

 lineal arrangement at very distant parts of the line. In truth, Sandalworts stand with 

 respect to the Garryal Alliance, and Loranths to AmentaJs, in the same position as New 

 Holland to New Zealand, or Kamtchatka to Russian America upon the maps ; the whole 

 world seems to di\'ide them, and yet they are stationed within a few degrees of each 

 other. Thus Loranths, which are often unisexual, approach Oleasters somewhat nearly, 

 and Sandalworts come close up to the hmits of Helwingiads. 



Natural Orders of Asarals. 



Ovary \-celled. Ovules definite, with a coated nucleus . . . 301. Santalace^. 



Ovary l-celled. Ovules definite, icith a naked nucleus . . . 302. Loramhace^. 



Ovary 3-6-celled. Ovules 00 303. Aristolochiace^. 



