JIfr. BuowN, on ihe Proteacece of Jussieu. I9 



pression or furrow, on the bursting of the opposite cell of the 

 corresponding anthcra, firmly attaches itself to its contents, now 

 become a regular mass of a waxy consistence. 



If the accuracy of this statement be admitted, it will probably 

 be allowed that the Asdepiadece cannot be regarded as gynan- 

 drous, especially in the sense in which tliey are so considered by 

 botanists; but lest it should not be thought completely satisfac- 

 tory, it may be added, that in a still earlier "stage of the flower 

 bud I have found the fcecundating matter already secreted in 

 the cells of the antherae, while the glands of the stigma, as well 

 as tlieir processes, were absolutely invisible. 



As to the question of their being pentandrous or decandrous, 

 every analogy must lead us to refer them to the former class ; 

 nor indeed have they, when not considered as gynandrous, been 

 ever supposed to belong to Decandria. 



An oecoDomy, in many respects similar to that now described, 

 obtains also in Orchidea;, in which, however, the processes con- 

 necting the antherae with the stigma, where they exist, are in 

 many cases derived from the masses of pollen themselves ; but in 

 others they as certainly originate from the stigma, or its glandular 

 appendage. 



The result of my examination of these two interesting orders of 

 plants, I hope hereafter to submit to the Society ; and I now 

 proceed to the proper subject of the present paper. 



The natural order of Protete, or, as it is less exceptionably 

 called, Protjeacea:, was first established in the Genera Planta- 

 rum of the celebrated Jussieu ; and the description there prefixed 

 to it will, with a icw alterations, still apply to the order, now 

 that it has received so many additions, not only in species, but 

 in very distinct genera, several of which were first published by 



P 2 Dr. Smith 



