natural Tamily of Plants called Composite. 141 



hypothesis not meant to be extended to all — this part, even in its 

 simplt'st state, may be considered as formed of a scries of modified 

 stamina : Or, merely to state the facts from which the conjecture 

 originates, that there are certain families in some of u'hos» genera 

 this organ exists in its simplest form, that of an undivided fleshy 

 ring; while in other genera of the same families it consists of 

 several distinct bodies alternating with the stauiina, and in some 

 cases putting on the appearance of barren filaments. 



This hypothesis is chiefly applicable to families in which the 

 number of stamina is equal to the divisions of one floral envelope 

 only, the nectarium being supposed to be formed of the second 

 series: but it receives its principal support from Scitammece*, where 

 the glandular bodies belong actually to the same series with the 

 perfect stamen. 



I am aware at the same time of several objections to its gene- 

 ralization. Thus, the nectarium or glandular disk exists in fami- 

 lies where, though the stamina are definite, they are equal in num- 

 ber to the divisions of calyx and corolla united ; and moreover, 

 in such families where it consists of distinct parts, these parts are 

 placed where an addition to the number of stamina is least likely 

 to take place, as in Crassulacece. Here, however, as in many 

 other cases, the divisions of the disk are opposite to the ovaria ; 

 they may therefore be supposed more intimately connected with 

 the pistiila than with the stamina ; an opinion which is I believe 

 held, though not yet published, by the ingenious M. DecandoUe 

 with respect to Raniincidacece. In support of this opinion it may 

 be noticed that in Pcconia Moutan, where the disk or urceolusis in 

 the state of the greatest development, when a multiplication of the 

 pistiila takes place, which in the double-flowered varieties of this 



* See Flindera's Voyage to Terra Australis, ii. p. 574. 



species 



