432 APPENDIX, No. V. 
sidered perhaps in all the genera rather as hypogynous than perigynous. ‘The 
most important distinguishing characters of Connaraceze, consist in the insertion 
of the two collateral ovula of each of its pistilla being near the base; while the 
radicle of the embryo is situated at the upper or opposite extremity of the seed, 
which is always solitary. In Connarus there is but one ovarium, and the seed 
(figured by Geertner under the name of Omphalobium,) is destitute of albumen. 
Rourea or Robergia, has always five ovaria, though in general one only comes 
to maturity. Its seed, like that of Connarus, is without albumen, and the 
zstivation of the calyx is imbricate. 
Of Cnestis, there are several new species in Professor Smith’s herbarium. 
This genus has also five ovaria, all of which frequently ripen; the albumen 
forms a considerable part of the mass of the seed; and the estivation of the 
calyx is valvular. The genera of this group therefore differ from each other, 
im having one or more oyaria, in the existence or absence of albumen ; and in 
the unbricate or valvular estivation of calyx. Any one of these characters 
singly, is frequently of more than generic importance, though here even when 
all are taken together, they appear insufficient to separate Cnestis from 
Connarus. : 
In considering the place of the Connaracez in the system, they appear 
evidently connected on the one hand with Leguminose, from which Connarus 
can only be distinguished by the relation the parts of its embryo have to the 
umbilicus of the seed. On the other hand, Cnestis seems to me to approach 
to Averrhoa, which agrees with it in habit, and in many respects in the 
structure of its flower and seed; differmg from it, however, in its five ovaria 
being united, in the greater number of oyula in each cell, in the very different 
texture of its fruit, and in some degree in the situation of the umbilicus of the 
seed. 
But Averrhoa agrees with Oaalis m every important pomt of structure of 
its flower, and in most respects in that of its seed. 
Oxalis indeed differs from Averrhoa in the texture of its fruits, im some 
respects in the structure of its seed ; and very widely in habit, in the greater 
part of its species. The difference in habit, howeyer, is not so great in some 
species of Oxalis; as for example, in those with pinnated and even ternate 
leaves from equinoctial America; and in that natural division of the genus 
including O. sensitiva, of which there are two species in the Congo herbarium. 
