118 



der Entwicklung ein durch gewisse Eigenschaften oder Dominanten 

 charnkterisierter Typus gelangen kann, d. h. welcher Progressionen 

 er fahig ist. 



From this we see that his affinitj - group is one that is determined only in so 

 far as it accords with one view of "cerfcain characfcers." But, we shall see 

 quite different affinity - groups estabUshed, as I have before stafced, when viewed 

 from diflferent standpoints, Then he remarks : — 



Wir erkennen hierbei, daS vielfach parallele Entwicklungsreihen auftre- 

 ten und daS man sich hiiten muB, die Parallelercheinungen mit den eine Sippe charak- 

 terisierenden Erscheinungen auf gleiche Stufe zu setzen. 



In the above quotation, he states that characters of plants observed in the 

 present vegetable world are referable to two different categories, namely : — 1, 

 those denoting parallel advancement in different series or classes ; 2, those 

 denoting to what series they belong^^. In my estimation, it is impossible to 

 regard different characters as necessarily and decidedly denoting such different 

 meanings. In my opinion, there can be no such absolute difference between 

 the characters. Engler's statement is only for convenience. Even if we 

 admit the two kinds of characters for convenience' sake, they are not pecuUar 

 (proper) to themselves but are interchangeable. If characters, regarded by 

 Engleb as representing those of the &st category, are taken by another 

 author as those of the second, the other characters regarded by Engler as 

 those of the second should, in their tm:n, be taken by the other author as 

 those of the first category. In fine, to ascribe different chararters to the two 

 di£ferent categories is a mere expedient to furnish arguments for a system 

 estabHshed on the assumption of phylogeny. Now, let us consider the matter 

 by examples. According to Engler's system, such characters of the Um- 

 beUiflorse, as valvate sestivation, a reduced calyx, andrceceum consisting of one 

 whorl of five stamens, two-celled ovary with a few ovules, are all regarded 

 as belouging to the first category, since the same characfcers are found in the 

 Kubiales ; while such a characfcer of tha UmbelHfloraQ as that represented by 

 polypetalous flowers is regarded as of the second category, as a character of 

 the Kubiales represented by gamopatalous flowers is likeAvise treated. In other 



1) Characters of this second category show the blood connection withln a group, but not 

 between groups. 



