VILLARIS, 91 
of a portion of cellular tissue, nor the formation of a fresh 
tissue. As the placental tissue is the most lax part of the 
carpellum so are the stigmata. 
No objection can be raised to the idea of union given 
above, it is not of uncommon occurrence in most parts of the 
flower, it is of very common occurrence in fruit, and latterly 
I have shewn it to exist in anthers ; Mr. Lindley alludes to 
this union as giving one explanation of the structure of Cru- 
ciferze, and it is the most probable one. I may here observe 
that in perhaps all cases very great assistance is obtainable 
in anomalous instances of union, particularly between stami- 
na or styles by taking into consideration the number of vas- 
cular fascicles. Thus the composition of the stamina of 
Eriodendron anfractus is at once pointed out by the number 
of vascular fascicles. It is of still more universal application 
to styles, the number of fascicles either corresponding direct- 
lyto the number of carpella, they being in this single, 
or if there be more than one to each carpella, they 
are grouped according to their respective carpella, I am 
not aware of a single instance tending to diminish the 
value of this test. Itis of difficult application in some in- 
stances, but the days are past for the minuteness of a flower 
ing an excuse for not accurately ascertaining its structure. 
I a floating Parnassia be ever found, it will probably be 
found to have evalvular capsules, because this is the case 
with Villarsia. 
- I therefore propose the order of Villarsiacez, which will 
: include Menyanthes, Villarsia, and Parnassia. 
Cal. 5-sepalus sstivatione imbricatus, persistens. Cor. 
ala, in Parnassia polypetala. Æstivatio imbricata, la- 
- Ciniis cristatis vel barbatis, raro nudis. 
Stam. fertilia 5, sepalis opposita, in polypetalis hypogyna- 
Stam. sterilia 5, vel 10, serie intime hypogyna, sxtepote 
petalis Opposita. 
Ovarium liberum, l-loculare. Placente parietal, 2-3-4. 
Orula plura, 
* 
