132 



refeiTed to. Tlieir positions, tliarefore, cannot be definitely. settled. 



As to the Farinosse and Liliiflorse, Englee says^^ tliat the two series 

 sliould be placed at a lower sfcage than the Scitamineae and Microspermse. 

 He is right in that, but only in so far m their zygomorphy or some other 

 characters are considered. But, some of the Microspermse approach rather 

 towards the HelobiaB ; cartain of the ScitaminesB resemble in some measure the 

 Farinosse. When we look at the series in a light diiferent fi-om that in which 

 Engler lias regarded them, their natural positions inust be diiferent from thosa 

 stated by Engler. 



The natural relations of the Earinosfc to other series are nofc so simple 

 as to warrant their being placed next to the LiHiflorse. Li reality they are 

 so comphcated that they ought to be placed in dynamic positions changeable 

 according to om* ways of looking at them. The aUiance of this series with 

 the Helobise and Ghimiflorse has already been referred to. It remains to 

 compare them with other series. In the first place, the series bears some 

 resemblance to the Lihiflorae, as the Flagellariacese'^^ agree with Juncaceae in 

 having 5-whorled flowers with homochlamydeous perianth; as the Bro- 

 mehacese^^ approach the AmaryUidacese in their vegetative organs ; and, as 

 the Cyanastracese*^ come close to the Hsemodoracese. In the second place, the 

 Farinosae are also related to the Scitaminese, as can be seen in the analogous 

 features of the Bromehaceee**^ and Scitaminacese, which features are shown 

 in the perianths separated in the outer calyx-like, and the inner corolla-like, 

 whorls. 



The natural relations of the Lihiflorae to other series, too, are not such 

 as to justify us in giving the series a fixed position. The resemblance which 

 ifc bears to the Glumiflorae, Farinosse, Helobiee and Spathiflorse, has already 

 been discussed. Some analogous points between the Amaryllidaceae and 

 Burmanniaceae point out the relationship of the Lihiflorae and Microspermse""'. 



Next in Engler's system come the Scitaminese^^ The relations of this 



1) Englee, A. — ErlJiuterungen, 1. c. p. 361. 



2) Kftt. Pfl.-fam. 11—4, p. 1. 3) Nat. Pfl.-fam. IL-4, p. 40. 

 4) Nat. Pfl.-fam. Nacht. IIL p. 43. 5) Nat. Pfl.-fam. IL— 4, p. 40. 



G) Nat. Pfl.-fam. IL— 6, p. 46. 7) Engleb, A. — Erl5iiiterungen, 1. c. p. 361. 



