136 Mr. Brom'n's Observations on the 



My conjectures, therefore, on their structure and relation to Aci- 

 carpha spathulata of the preceding paper, are completely verified 

 by this examination, as well as by the observations of M. Cassini, 

 ■who with his usual acuteness has detected the principal charac- 

 ters distinguishing Boopldcce from Compositae and Dipsaceae, be- 

 tween which he has also placed (hem. 



As M. Cassini's Memoir, though read subsequently to mine, is 

 already published, the name Calycerea, which I have proposed 

 for this family, is superseded by that which he has given it. 



But as his account of the order is by no means complete, seve- 

 ral characters of considerable, though not primary, importance 

 being entirely omitted, I may be allowed to add to my paper 

 some remarks on the more essential points of resemblance and 

 difference between it and the two families to which it is most 

 nearly related. 



The principal characters distinguishing Boopklea from the 

 whole of Composite are the pendulous ovulum and the albumen 

 inclosing the embryo, of which the radicle points to the apex of 

 the pericarpium. It appears to me necessary to state all these 

 characters, and nearly in the terms in which they are here given : 

 for, 1st, A pendulous ovulum most frequently, indeed, is not, 

 however, invariably connected with radicula siipera, though that 

 direction of radicle might here, as well as in Compositae, with con- 

 fidence have been inferred from the vascular structure of the ovu- 

 lum*. 2dly, Where the insertion of the ovulum is, as in this fa- 

 mil}', evidently below the upper extremity, the radicle which 



* Some of the indications in many cases afforded by the structure of the unimpregnated 

 ovulum, of the position and direction of the parts of the future embryo, have hitherto been 

 overloolted : the subject, however, for its elucidation requires details incompatible vi-ith the 

 limits of the present communication. I have in another place (Flinders's Voyage to Terra 

 Australis, ii. p. 601.) thrown out a similar hint, which has probably attracted no attention, 

 and must reserve the explanation of both for a separate essay. 



points 



