GENERAL REMARKS. 217 
tripetal, both en masse and in detail, proves that it is a single 
capitulum, hence the generic character of Sprengel is nearly 
correct, although there is no true anthodium. It likewise 
suggests a certain affinity with Echinops. 
That the pale of a receptacle are merely modified scales 
of the involucrum, in other words, bractez, is proved by their 
absence in those floscules which arise from the axille of the 
inner scales. Here again Spheranthus is interesting, it has 
no involucrum, because all the axille produce capitula. 
With regard to inflorescence, that of Graminez is not sim- 
ple, but compound, the spicule of the spikes being most de- 
veloped towards the apex, in other words terminal locusta 
are the first developed. 
Burrumpootur: March 29th, 1836. 
The development of the ligulate flowers of Composit is 
connected with a very great enlargement of the lacinie of 
the corolla. The development is centripetal, that is, two of 
the most distant laciniz first take it up, and the central 
one the last. This may take place in such a degree that the 
central lacinia, or even those next to it may become ob- 
literated, and this is partly (perhaps) the case whenever 
the number of teeth is less than 5. 
The centripetal development is so strong, that the outer 
of a lacinia may become ligulate, and the inner not, so 
that any amount of irregularity as to the number and size of 
teeth may be expected in a ligulate corolla. 
À ligulate corolla can only occur in a flower with strictly 
Valvate estivation, and its great prevalence in the order, is 
à proof of the constancy of this estivation, and consequently 
^" Value as a character. Why the corolla becomes unilabiate 
18 another question, it may arise from the pressure which 
in any other direction than outwardly, may be sup- 
Posed to be subjected to, and this idea is somewhat corro- 
borated by the frequent limitation of ligulate corollas to the 
m erence of the flower. Then the question arises, why 
does it happen, that one grand division of the order is cha- 
e ea 
