ON THE DIVISIONS OF STIGMA,^ kc. ^07 



To estimate correctly the importance of the relation be- 

 tween the divisions of the Stigma and the pai'ictal placentae 

 of the componnd ovarium, namely, Avhetherwhen agreeing nos 

 in number they are placed opposite to or alternate with 

 each other, it is necessary to take into consideration the 

 theoretical view which appears the most probable of the 

 orio'in or formation of a simnle ovarinm, and that of the 

 stigma belonging to it, as well as the various kinds and 

 degrees of confluence by which the real nature of b^tli 

 organs, but especially the latter, is so often obscured. 



It is at present, I believe, universally agreed to consider 

 a polyspermous legumen as that state of the simple ovarium, 

 which best exemplities the hypothetical view of the forma- 

 tion of this organ generally adopted ; namely, that it consists 

 of the modification of a leaf folded inwards and united by 

 its margins, which in most cases are the only parts of the 

 organ pi'oducing ovula ; or, at least, where this power of 

 production is not absolutely confined to the margins, it 

 generally commences with or includes them. 



The exceptions to the structure as here stated are of two 

 kinds : — 



First. Where the whole internal surface of the carpel is 

 equally ovuliferous, which is the case in a few famihes of very 

 small extent, as Butomece, Nijmphceacecp, and LnrdhnhaJerp. 



' [Extracted from Mr. Brown's account of CyrtandrecP, given in the second 

 part of Dr. Horsficld's 'Plnntrc Javanice l^'iriore?,' pul)lished in IStO. Sepa- 

 rate copies of this nolo were dislribufcd in December, I'^.'i'). — Elit. Ann. Nat. 

 IfhL] 



