STRUCTURE.] 



BRAOT S VIEWS. 



247 



of the axis of plants leaves, calyx, corolla, stamens, and 

 carpels form an uninterrupted spire, governed by laws 

 which are nearly constant. No application of the doctrine 

 appears practicable, except to assist in the distinction of 

 species, for which it would be well adapted, if the determina- 

 tion of the series with the requisite precision were less diffi- 

 cult ; this is shown in the following instances of differences 

 in the fundamental spire in nearly allied species. 



Pinus pinaster, -f^ sylvestris, i-f- cembra, -^ larix, -/r 

 microcarpa, -f . 



Betula alba and pubescens, -^ and -f| fruticosa gene- 

 rally, -fV- 



Corylus avellana, -/- americana and tubulosa, -i-f in their 

 male catkins. 



The whole of this curious question has been simplified by 



