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XXXIV. Notes on the Structure and Affinities of Batidea3, Callitrichacese, Vochysiaceae, 

 and Cassytlieae. By B. Clarke, Esq., F.L.S. 



ReadJune 16th, 1859. 



1. On the Structure and Affinities of Batidese and Callitricliaceae. 



i HE principal points in the structure of the genus Batis, P. Br., have become well known, 

 but its affinities have not been decided, while those which have been suggested for it are 

 proved to be, for the most part, if not entirely, impracticable ; further analysis therefore 

 seems required before its affinities can be brought to light ; and the follo\ving additional 

 particulars, as regards its structiu'c, and especially the relative position of the oatiIcs to 

 the axis of the ovary, will, I believe, make it evident that it must be a near ally of the 

 Verbenacece. 



The male flowers are arranged in 4-rowed spikes, giving them a habit like that of the 

 Verbenacece with 4-rowed spikes of flowers ; but in one species the inflorescence becomes 

 compound, which gives it in some degree the habit of a Globularia, as of G. orientalis. 

 The calyx is reduced to one sepal, posterior ; but, since ta the Acanthace(S also the calyx is 

 sometimes very nearly obsolete, tliis negative character is of Little value. The corolla is 

 attached by a very slender basis to the calyx, and consists of four petals with long claws 

 and oval or almost circular laminae, and of four stamens alternate with them, two of 

 which are j)laced anterior and posterior, and two right and left of the axis *, — the two 

 lateral stamens having the rudiment of an ovary slightly adhering to them, which is 

 sometimes bifid, the segments being lateral. 



The female flowers are in shorter spikes, which are 4-rowed, as in the male. The floral 

 envelopes are deficient ; but each ovary has at its base a quickly deciduous bractea (Tab. 

 LXVIII. fig. 27), so that in the early stage the spike is completely enveloped in scales, 

 and is also terminated with three or four pairs of minute flowerless scales. The stigmas 

 are two, right and left of the axis, and the cells of the ovary four, so placed that two of 

 them stand right, and two left of the axis, so as to correspond in theu* position with the 

 two stigmas, each pair having no bundle of vessels between them, but being separated 

 by very distinct bundles from the opposite pair (fig. 27 a). Each cell contains an erect 

 anatropal ovule, the raphe and foramen of which are very distinct. The raphe is lateral 

 in relation to the inner angle of each cell ; but in each jjair of cells the raphes are always 

 turned towards each other (fig. 27 a), as in the Verbenacece and LabiatcB, proving beyond 

 doubt that the structure of the ovary is the same, consisting of only two carpels. 



According to this view of its structure, Batis differs from the Verbenacece only in being 

 diclinous and polypetalous, imless it is in the position of the stamens ; for in the female 



* This, at least, is their position in B. marifima, but whether it is always so may be a question. 



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