550 NAMES AND OBSERVATIONS ON INDIAN PLANTS. 



other similar processes, one on the anterior side of each of 

 the additional antherae, also exist ; a fact which throws con- 

 siderable doubt on the correctness of the view here referred 

 to of the nature of these processes in OrchidecB, unless the 

 same hypothesis could likewise be extended to all cases of 

 trifid filaments, as those of Allium and Deutzia, to which 

 the auricula? in OrchidecB may be said to be analogous. 



In ScitaminecB, the family most nearly akin to OrchidecB, 

 the complete number of stamina may be considered very 

 generally present. Only one, however, is antheriferous ; 

 and this perfect stamen, instead of corresponding, as in 

 OrchidecB, with the anterior segment of the outer series of 

 the perianthium, is placed within the posterior segment of 

 the inner series, the two remaining barren stamina of the 

 same series being the epigynous glands or filaments exist- 

 ing in all the genera of this order except Costus j 1 while the 

 outer series of stamina, very differently modified, form the 

 innermost or supplementary series of the perianthium. 



This view of the origin of that series was many years ago 

 communicated to me in conversation by the celebrated 

 Correa de Serra ; but was first, I believe, published in 

 1826 by Professor Lestiboudois, in a memoir 2 in which the 

 correctness of the opinion held, namely, that ScitaminecB 

 and CannecB possess rudiments or modifications of six 

 stamina, is remarkably contrasted with the erroneous 

 views taken, or rather adopted, of the greater part of the 

 structures adduced in support of it. 



A more accurate account of the relative position of parts 

 was given in 1828 by my ingenious friend Professor Von 

 Martins. In confirmation of the opinion, I may remark 

 that the cells of the ovarium, whose relation to the floral 

 envelope appears to be very uniform in Monocotyledones? 

 are in ScitaminecB opposite to the supposed petaliform 

 stamina, and to the divisions of the outermost series of 

 perianthium. I have formerly pointed out the difference in 



1 c Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl.; i, p. 305. 



2 ' Memoire sur la Canna indica el sur les families des Balisiers el des Ba- 

 naniers* 



3 Appendix to 'Den/iam and ClapperlotCs Travels,' p. 243 {vol. i, p. 300). 



