26 Mr. Brov'n, on the Protcacea of Jussieu. 



proves it to be of no further moment than in distinguishing 

 species. 



Dr. Smith has given it as his opinion, that from the disposition 

 of leaves in New Holland plants no conclusion can safely be 

 drawn as to their genera. This remark however appears to 

 me only applicable to certain families, or rather genera; for in 

 many tribes the plants of that country are altogether as constant 

 in their leaves as in any other part of the world. In proof of 

 this, it maybe sufficient to mention the order Rubiaceoe ; and 

 there are many others in which I find nothing at all remarkable 

 in this respect. 



As to Proteaceae, it must be acknowledged that in Bcinksia 

 both verticillated and scattered leaves occur; but the leaves 

 constantly in threes in Lambertia seems to me a circumstance of 

 even greater importance than the number of flowers in the in- 

 Tolucrum ; and the opposite leaves of Xylomelum distinguish it 

 at once both from Rhopala and Hakea. 



Although the form and divisions of leaves in the order are va- 

 riable in no common degree, yet there are certain genera, both 

 among those of Africa and New Holland, which the leaves even 

 in these respects assist in indicating. Thus, in that genus to 

 which I have applied the name of Protea (the Erodendrum of 

 Mr. Salisbury), and I believe also in my Leucadendron, there 

 is no instance of a divided or toothed leaf; thus also the leaves 

 of Spatallxi are filiform and undivided, and those of Serniria fili- 

 form and almost alwa3's pinnatifid. Their dichotomous divisions 

 in Simsia and Frajiklandia are still more characteristic ; and their 

 division and remarkable reticulation readily distinguish Synaphea 

 from Conospermum. 



The inflorescence in Proteaceae, whatever use botanists may 

 think proper to make of it in their generic characters, is of un- 

 doubted 



