28 CHLORIS BOREALI-AMERICANA. 



in the opposite plane, the bracts being anterior and posterior, and 

 the three flowers consequently occupying the line that passes 

 through the cauline leaf and the main stem. An instance of the 

 sort furnished the diagram, Fig. 2. 



The position of the two constituent carpels of the ovary to the 

 axis, and to the sepals, may be next considered. In the solitary 

 axillary flower, the lobes of the stigma, and consequently the car- 

 pels, are commonly right and left, and parallel with the sepals, as 

 in the diagram. Fig. 6, where the two oval figures placed in the 

 centre represent the lobes of the stigma, and the two outer lateral 

 lines, the sepals. Yet, in some cases, I have found the stigmas 

 placed anterior and posterior, the two sepals remaining lateral, and 

 therefore alternate with the sepals, instead of opposed to them, as is 

 usual in this plant. This remark is equally applicable to the lateral 

 flowers of the cluster of three. Although the stigmas are generally 

 opposed to the sepals, and consequently lateral as respects the 

 secondary bract, as in both diagrams, Figs. 1 and 2, yet in about 

 three cases out of thirteen the stigmas alternate with the sepals, 

 and are therefore opposed to the secondary bract and axis, that is, 

 are anterior and posterior.* This prevalent opposition of the car- 

 pels to the sepals (with which they happen in this case to agree in 

 number), so contrary to the general rule in Dicotyledones,t might 

 be held to give additional probability to the idea that what are here 

 called sepals are really bracts, — a view taken by Linnaeus, doubt- 

 less on account of their close resemblance to the proper leaves of 

 the plant, but which may also be maintained, as already intimated, 



* In one cluster, the stigmas of one of the lateral flowers were seen to be ante- 

 rior and posterior, while those of the other flower were right and left. 

 + R. Eroion, Observ. PI. Oudney, pp. 33, 38. 



