179 



8 Alismataceae ^^ : Certainly related to the Butomacepe and Jiincagi- 

 naceos. But, so fjar as habit and floral structure are concemed, it can nofc be 

 denied that a close affinity exists between the Alismatacese and the Ranun- 

 culfice£e. The Tiiuridaceae resemble the Alismatacese in having numerous free 

 carpels. 



9 ButomaceaB"^: Related to the AHsmataceae, Triuridaceae and Hydro- 

 charitaceae. 



10 Hydroch.aritace8B ^^ : If we lay great stress upon the inferior position 

 of the ovary, the family is comparable with the BromeKacese, AmaryUidaceae, 

 Iridaceae, Biurmanniaceoe and Orchidaceae. If we think otherwise, the case is 

 altogether different. Thus, with respect to the structure of seeds and pollen, 

 it (such as HalopMla) bears a close relation to some genera of the Potamoge- 

 tonacese ; but, in view of the axiUary position of flowers, the perianth, and the 

 parietal placenta, it is closely aUied to the Mayacacaae.'*^ 



Series m. Triuridales 



11 TriuridaceaB"^ : This family is to some extent comparable with the 

 Orchidacese and Bm-manniacese in its habit; and also to the Ahsmataceae and 

 Butomaceae in the many free carpels ; but in other respects, as is suggested 

 by some authors, it is rather related to the Dicotyledons. 



Series IV. Glumiflorce 



12 Gramineae*^^ : Certain affinity of the family with the Cyperacese is 

 evidently conceivable. It is also comparable with the Juncacese^^, and is a 

 weU marked family. As is generaUy the case with weU-defined famiUes, the 

 classification of the species or genera of the Graminese is a difficult task. 

 There is no good character which can be regarded as a distinguishing trait 

 for a tribe or subtribe. It is rather the combination of characters that can 

 be taken for the latter. No tribe nor large genus in this famUy is defined 

 with any acuracy. AU memljers are related to one another as if they were 

 a network. The relative positions of tribes, genera and species are, therefore, 



1) 1. c. II.— 1, p. 229. 2) Nat. Pfl.-fam. IL— 1, p. 233. 



3) 1. c. II.— 1, pp. 246 ana 201. 4) 1. c. II.- 4, p. 18. 



5) 1. c. II.— 1, and 237. 6) Nat. Pfl.-fam. II.— 2, p. 16. 



7) Jktfrey, E. C — 1. c. p. 413. 



