213 
parts that it is only by the utmost care and closest scrutiny that they may 
be determined, and a dissection of the flower is invariably necessary. Many 
of the species have also a great similarity in habit of growth and the ar- 
rangement of the inflorescence, which is confusing and liable to mislead 
one who attempts a mere comparison. 
The sketch here presented does not cover the subject originally under- 
taken, but is merely one of the many interesting features in this family 
of plants. This study of the scales of Cuscuta was suggested in the course 
of the study by reason of the fact that the observations made thus far do 
not, in many respects, coincide with the statements made by Dr. Engel- 
mann in his work. He describes the scales as being epistamineal and that 
they are evidently lateral dilatations of the lower part of the filaments, 
or a sort of stamineal crown attached at the base of the corolla, but not a 
duplication of the corolla. 
In the study of this subject we have made constant use of the micro- 
scope, making sections of flowers in various directions, and are forced to 
conclusions quite different from those of Dr. Engelmann. In the course 
of the work it was noticed that in some species the filament of the stamen 
extends under the apex of the scale, in others the base of the filament is 
above the apex of the scale, and in still others the filament can be traced 
nearly to the base of the corolla, while the scale forms two lateral wings, 
one on each side of the filament. For this work specimens from each of 
the three groups were examined. Longitudinal sections were made 
through the corolla, with its attached stamen and’ scale, and a careful 
study showed that the scales have their origin from the corolla. The 
stamens also originate from the corolla, but at a different level from the 
scale, so that they cannot possibly be attached to each other. However, 
in the third section a few species showed some connection between the 
seale and the filament; but while there may have been a slight attachment 
of these parts in individual specimens, yet the examination of other sec- 
tions fully demonstrated the fact that the origin of the scale is unques- 
tionably from the corolla, and the base of the stamen is slightly above 
that of the scale. 
The results of these examinations, so far as made, confirm us in the 
belief that the scales are not epistamineal, and do not form a stamineal 
crown, but are petaloid in their origin and are in the nature of a duplica- 
tion of the petals. 
