EDGEWORTHIA. - 297 
this instance the membrane inflected into the albu- 
men wil be partly at least nucleary. The stalk of the 
embryo is exceedingly large, the largest I have met with, 
it is worthy of remark that, at its apex it is very laxly cellu- 
lar, the tissue gradually becoming more condensed as it ap- 
proaches the embryo, still no part of the radicle is formed 
from it, 
This is obviously a transition genus, between Myrsinez and 
Sapotacez, with a preponderation perhaps of characters in 
favour of the former where it is placed by Dr. Falconer. 
The relative affinity it has with the two above orders 
may be decided in favor of Myrsinez, on account of its habit. 
and inflorescence, which is like that of Myrsinea. ‘It 
probably comes close to Jacquinia. 
The infexion of the filament isa curious character, the 
anthers however return to their usual direction, (is this the 
case in Melastomacez ?) 
The protrusion of the style, at so early a period is 
Unusual, it is not united with a correspondingly early dehis- 
cence of the anthers, but it is perhaps? associated with the 
late expansion of the corolla, which forms a tube round the 
Style, 
_ It would appear that fecundation is unusual, although fruit 
18 produced in immense quantities, but their quantity com- 
Pared with that of the flowers is extremely small, and sel- 
dom more than 2 young fruits are to be found in an axilla. 
The order Myrsinez appears to me unnatural, nor can I 
think otherwise, viewing such genera as Ardisia united with 
yrsinea, but I know few of the plant it contains. 
calyx is entirely that of Sapotes. 
Cal. 5 sepalus. Cor. subrotata, laciniis reflexis, stam. ste- 
Tilia 5, fertilia 5, lacinia basibus insert. xstivation imbricat. 
filam, inflex, ovar. unilocul. placenta sub 0. Ovulis erectis, 
pis, 
Semen unicum, album, corneum ruminatum, Embryo axilis 
NA 
