10 NAPOLEONA. 
In the total absence of all correet information as to the real structure of this curious genus, 
Botanists have been unable to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as to its affinities. All that they 
have been able to settle is its not belonging to any known natural order. 
alissot de Beauvois stated (1807) that in the opinion of Jussieu, it constituted a new order be- 
tween Cucurbitaceæ and Passifloraceæ; a view that was probably ta in consequence of the'dou- 
ble-ringed corolla, which is analogous to the coronet of the beten ers, and the plaited corolla 
with an inferior o which brings to mind the flowers of the Gourd ribe. 
esfontaines, on the contrary (1820), refers it, and another genus which he calls Asferanthus, 
without sy doubt, to "pes ceæ, because of it monopetalous perigyno a, its stamens 
inserted in the base of thé corolla, hong | two-celled anthers, single style, bu Fowey axillary 
eni innen, shrub ; وان نید‎ 
ek a ke Brown (1822), mm puts it and Asteranthus into an order called Belvi- 
sieæ , yp however, attempting to settle its position in the natural system. He objected to ap- 
proximating it ta — doubted its affinity to Passifforacece , and compared its structure with 
that e Ra 
erly no one seems to have attempted to suggest anything new as to its relationship. Endlicher 
puts x next Symplocaceæ. Meisner next Passifloraceæ, adding es what had been previously known of 
it, that its seeds are arillate, a mistake (?) that UA originated in De Beauvois description of 
them « Semina > nosa nidulantia. » Finally, I myself, feeling that these could: not be its 
true adie "he gene anal alliance, with marks of great doubt. 
It is obvious, from s iniquas en that Napoleona has nothing to do with za of the 
orders to which it has been referred. m Cucurbitacea its differs utterly in its hermaphrodite flo- 
wers, axile placentation, highly d ak. corolla, and whole habit; it has in fact no resemblance 
to that order. Passifloracee seem at first sight to claim a دج‎ nearer relationship ; because of the 
triple-rowed — of Napoleona , which much سر‎ e coronet of a Passion-flower; but there 
tendrils, parietal placenta, G ovary, distinct S gc co- 
rolla, imbricated calyx of e are all most essentially at variance with genus. Symplo- 
cacee were a far better guess, for the monopetalous corolla, indefinite epi ipetalous stamens, axile 
placentæ , adherent calyx, and definite seeds of Napoleona find there a parallel; but the ovary of 
that genus is wholly adherent, with a great epigynous disk, th e calyx is valvate, and the seeds have 
no albu to say nothing of the lacerated condition of the corolla, which is not to be wholly 
en in a consideration of this kind. 
it appears that the true affinity is in the neighbourhood of the Mangroves (Rhizophoracee); 
for KR اد‎ ds reasons. The ovary is in both inferior, few-seeded, with 
aile placentæ; both have 
à coriaceous valvate calyx; both have large amygdaloid se 
the gr e that exists between the wood of Napoleona and of young Rhisophora, in con- 
sequence of both Ads in part of slender acicular tubes, which give the wood ; when broken 
across, the appearance of containing slender bristles. Finally, the ribbing, which is so conspicuous 
in = outer corolla of Napoleona, is repeated in the she of "e o gymnorhisa ii s-trub that 
à HEUS du e "affinity of the genus to some Myrtaceæ, is not to be overlooked; as, for example 
to Perticordia, in which there is the same tendency to a multiplication of the series of the corolla, 
to Careu, whose fruit has a very similar structure, and to Barringtonia to which 
very similar in foliage; but these affinities are less “ins : than that 
shew, however, pretty clearly that Belvisiacee, for 
which Napoleona is 
$ 
apoleona is 
of the Mangrove tribe. They 
0 it is most convenient to call to order of 
the most conspicuous member, beloogs to the great Myrtal alliance, 
(Mssc. Bot. Reg. No 81, dec. 1844.) 
