109 



also to some extent related to tlie Berberidacese, especially in the integment of 

 tbe ovules. At tlie some time, tlie Ranunculacess is closelj allied to the Dilleniace89 

 and OchnaceeB (both of the Parietales), and in no less degree to the Rosaceae, iu 

 the arraugement of the segments of the perianth and of the stamens, and also 

 iu the an-angement of carpels in the case of the last family. Further, the 

 resemblance of the Ranunculacese aud Alismataceae, although the two famihes 

 find places in the present system very far apart from each other, is iucontes- 

 table, as can be seen iu the indeterminably numerous stamens, in the apocarpous 

 gynsecea and especially iu the habits. The Kanunculaceee are, therefore, besides 

 being referable to tl^ Kauales, may be referred respectively to the Rosales, 

 to tlie Parietales, or even to the widely separated Helobiae, according to the 

 diflferent ways of looking at them. ^ 



Anonacese^^ (Eanales) : Tliis group is certainly allied to*.the MagnoHaceae 

 in the floral structure and in the presence of " Olgehalt." At the same time, 

 it bears a close relation to Maha of the El^euacege in its rimose albumen and 

 in its trimerous flowers. Its uatural position moves from one place to another, 

 however far apart it may be fi'om the former, according to the view of' the 

 systematizer. 



Menispermacese-^ (Ranales) : Certaiuly this group is assignable to the 

 Ranales and can be placed next to the Berberidaceee according to one view. 

 But according to another view, it comes very close to the Sabiacese (Sapindales) 

 in the structure of its flowers and fruit and even in its habit. In the male 

 flowers, the resemblance between the Menispermacese and Dioscoreaceae (LiHi- 

 florse) is very striking and incontestable. Still more remarkable is the 

 coincidence of the MenisjDermacese and Euphorbiacese (Gerauiales) as is seen 

 in the several genera of both famiUes^\ Its natural position is changeable from 

 a phice in the Ranales to one in the Sapindales and Geraniales or even to 

 one in the Lihiflorse. 



KoeberUniacese^^ (Rhoeadales) : This group is, according to one view, to 

 be brought near the Saxifragacese (Rosales), but according to auother view, it 



1) Nat. Pfl.-£am. m.— 2, p. 23. 



2) DiELS, li. — Menispermacere, in das Pflan^senreich, IV. — 94, p. 41. 



3) Nat. Pa.-fam. m.— 6, p. 321. 



