432 APPENDIX. No. V. 



adered perhaps in aU the genera rather as hypogynous than perigyncusf. The 

 most important distinguishing chai-acters of Connaraceae, consist in the insertion 

 of the two collateral ovula of each of its pistilla being near the base ; while the 

 radicle of the embryo is situated at the upper or opposite extremity of the seed, 

 which is always sohtary. In Cennarus there is but one ovarium, and the seed 

 (figured by Gaertner under the name of Omphalobium,) is destitute of albumen. 

 Rourea or Robergia, has always five ovaria, though in general one only comes 

 to maturitj'. Its seed, like that of Connanis, is without albumen, and tlie 

 jEstivation of the calyx is imbi-icate. 



Of Cnestis, there are several new species in Professor Smith's herbaiium. 

 This genus has also five ovaria, all of which frequently ripen ; the albumen 

 fonns a considerable part of the mass of die seed ; and the agstivation of the 

 calyx is valvular. The genera of this group therefore differ from each otlier, 

 in having one or more ovaria, in the existence or absence of albumen ; and in 

 the imbricate or valvular aestivation of calyx. Any one of these characters 

 singly, is frequently of more than generic importance, though here even when 

 all are taken together, they appear insufficient to separate Cnestis from 

 Connarus. 



In considering the place of the Connaraceae in the system, they appear 

 evidently connected on the one liand with Leguminosae, from which Connarus 

 can only be distinguished by the relation the parts of its embryo have to the 

 umbilicus of the seed. On the other hand, Cnestis seems to me to approach 

 to Averrhoa, which agi-ees vnth it in habit, and in many respects in tlie 

 structure of its flower and seed ; differing from it, however, in its five ovaria 

 being united, in tlie greater number of ovula in each cell, in the very different 

 texture of its fruit, and in some degree in the situation of the umbihcus of tlie 

 seed. 



But Averrhoa agrees with Oralis in every important point of structure of 

 its flower, and in most respects in that of its seed. 



Oxal'is indeed differs from Averrhoa in the texture of its fruits, in some 

 respects in the structure of its seed ; and very widely in habit, in the greater 

 part of its species. The difference in habit, however, is not so great in some 

 species of Oxalis ; as for example, in those with pinnated and even ternate 

 leaves from equinoctial America ; and in that natural division of the genus 

 including O. sensUiva, of which there are two species in the Congo herbariuni. 



