APPENDIX. No. V. 433 



This latter section of Oxalis* agrees also with Averrhoa Carambolaf in the 

 foHola when initated, being reflected or dependent, which is likewise theii- 

 position in the state of collapsion or sleep, in all the species of both genera. 



To the natural order formed by Oxalis and Averrhoa, the name of Oxa- 

 LiDEE may be given, in preference to that of Sensitivce, under which, however, 

 Batsch:J: was the first to propose the association of these two genera, and to 

 point out their agreement in sensible quahties and irritability of leaves. 



M. de Jussieu, in a memoir recently published,§ has proposed to remove 

 Oxalis from Geraniaceae, to which he had formerly annexed it, and to imite it 

 with Diosnieas. 



It appears to me to have a much nearer affinity to Zj/gophi/llea;]] though 

 it is surely less intimately connected with that order than with Averrhoa. 



I am aware that M. Correa de Serra, one of the most profound and philo- 

 sophical botanists of the present age, has considered Averrhoa as nearly related 

 to Rhamneae ^\ or rather to Cclastrina? ; from which, however, it differs in the 

 number and insertion of stamina and especially in the direction of the embryo, 

 ■with respect to the pericarpium. 



In all these characters Averrhoa agrees with Oxalis ; its relation (o which is 

 further confirmed on considering the appendage of the seed or ariUus, whose mo^ 

 difications in these two genera seem to correspond with those of their pericarpia. 



CHRYSOBALANEjE. The genera forming this order are Chrysobalanua, 

 Moquilea, Grangeria, Coupea, Acioa, Licania, Hirtella, Thelira, and Parina- 

 rium, all of which are at present referred by M. de Jussieu to Rosaceae, and 

 the greater part to his seventh section of that family, namely, Amygdalese. If 

 Rosaceae be considered as an order merely, these genera will form a separate 

 section, connecting it with Leguminosae. But if, as I have formerly proposed, 

 both these extensive families are to be regarded as natural classes, then they 

 will form an order sufficiently distinct from Amygdaleie, both in fructification 

 and habit, as wqII as in geographical distribution. 



The principal distinguishing characters in the fructification of Chrysobalanece, 

 are the style proceeding from the base of the ovarium ; and the ovula (which, 



* Herba seutieos, Rumph. Amboin.b, p. 301 . + Bruce in Philos. Transact. 75, p. 356. 



+ Tab. affin. p. 23. S ''*^^"'- ''" -''^'"- '''^'*'- -^o'- 3, P- 448, 



5 Flhiders's f'oy.. 2, p. 545. 5 Aiinal. du ilui. d'llif. Sat. 8, p. ??. 



3K 



