IN CYCADEif: AND CONTFER^E. 401 



on each scpmma, as Agathis and Araucaria, where their 

 niniibor is considerahle and apparently indefinite, and more 

 particularly still in Cuiniinglianiia, or H(;lis/ in wliicli tlu^ 

 lobes, thongli only three in nund^er, agree in this resj)cet, 

 as well as in insertion and direction, with the ovula. The 

 supposition, that in such cases all the lobes of each S(juaina 

 are cells of one and the same anthera, receives but Httle 

 support either from the origin and arrangement of the lobes 

 themselves, or from the structure of other phjenogamous 

 plants : the only cases of apparent, though doubtful, ana- 

 logy that I can at present recollect occurring in Aphyteia, 

 and perhaps in some Cucurbitaceae. 



That part of my subject, therefore, which rehites to the 

 analogy between the male and female flowers in Cycadea^ 

 and Coniferso, I consider the least satisfactory, both in 

 regard to the immediate question of the existence of an 

 anomalous ovarium in these families, and to the hypothesis 

 repeatedly referred to, of the origin of the sexual organs of 

 all phaenogamous plants. 



In concluding this digression, I have to express my 

 regret that it should have so far exceeded the limits [n05 

 })roper for its introduction into the present work. In giving 

 an account, however, of the genus of plants to which it is 

 annexed, I had to describe a structure, of whose nature 

 and importance it was necessary I should show myself 

 aware ; and circumstances have occurred whde I was en- 

 gaged in preparing this account, which determined me to 

 enter much more fully into the subject than I had originally 

 intended. 



^ In communicating specimens of tliis plant to the late M. Richard, for liis 

 intended monograpli of Conifcrae, I added some remarks on its structure, 

 agreeing witli those liere made. I at the same time requested that, if he 

 objected to Mr. Salisbury's Jklis as liable to be confounded with BcUis, tlio 

 genus might be named Cunninghamia, to commemorate the merits of Mr. 

 James Cunnhujham, an excellent observer in liis time, by whom this plant was 

 discovered; and in honour of Mr. Allan CtaDiinr/liam, the very deserving 

 botanist who accompanied ]\Ir. Oxlcy in his first expedition into the interior of 

 New South Wales, and Captain King in all his voyages of survey of the Coasts 

 of New Holland. 



