129 



the natural relations of the &,milies in the Monocotyledons, the famiHes must 

 be observed according to the dynamic view and should be grouped acoording 

 to every possible method. Engler's system of the Monocotyledons shows but 

 partial relations of consecutive families. He gives a"? groups showing incon- 

 stancy of floral elements the Pandanales, Helobiae and Ghimiflorse. As far as I 

 can judge, the Pandanales and Helobise have indefinita numbers in floral elements, 

 but the Glumiflorae have numbers various but constant to each of the genera 

 of the series. The serial arrangement shown in his system, (e.g. the Pandanales, 

 Helobise and then Ghimiflorse), shows but partial relations in several different 

 respects ; it does not present to view the real relations in all directions. The 

 first series is not only related to the next two, but also to many other series. 

 Further he says^^ : — 



Dass tinter diesen die Pandanales wegen vorherrschender Nacktbliitigkeit und 

 wegen groBer Unbestimmtheit in der Zahl der bisweUen auch noch spiralig angeord- 

 neten Staubblatter die niederste Stufe einnehmen, ist sicher. Ob nun die Glumifiorce 

 oder die IlelobUv folgen sollen, ist schwer zu entscheiden. 



It is true, indeed, that the Pandanales seem to have such a definite position, 

 when regard is paid to their naked flowers. But in other respect, the series 

 is somewhat connected with the Principes''^ as can be seen in the analogy 

 between the Pandanacese and the Palmse (Phyteleplias and Nipa). It bears 

 also some resemblance to the Aracese"^ of the Spathiflorae. Moreover, it is more 

 or less allied to the Synanthse, when the Cyclanthaceae''^ in their floral structure 

 approach Freyclneiia of the Pandanacese (n.-3, p. 98). The real relations of 

 the Pandanales should, therefore, be observed according to the dynamic view. 

 In the above quotations, he refers to the difficulty of determining which of 

 the Glumiflorae and Helobiae should take precedence. But, in my opinion, 

 such a question is without significance. One series will precede another in one 

 respect, but wiU follow it in another respect. Thus only can we understand 

 their natural relations as manifested in all views. 

 As to the Helobise'^ ha says as foUows : — 



1) Enoleb, A. — Erlltuterungen, 1. c. p. 360. 



2) Kat. Pfl.-fam. IL— 1, p. 190, and IL— 3, p. 25. 



3) Nat. Pfl.-fam. II.— 3, p. 98. 4) Nat. Pfl.-fam. II.— 3, p. 98. 

 5) Enoleb, A. — Erlituterungen, 1. c. p. 360. 



