M. Duchartre on the Organogeny of the Malvacer. 241 
of the parts*: “In all those calyces and corolle called mono- 
phyllous, the various parts, which subsequently cohere, are at 
their origin everywhere, and without exception, separate, and 
their independent existence is prolonged for a sufficient length of 
time to render all reasoning on the number of parts superfluous, 
because it-is a matter of observation susceptible of demonstrative 
evidence.” He subsequently maimtains the same original inde- 
pendence of the stamens and carpels. He has supported his 
conclusions by numerous examples, and especially, at a later pe- 
riod, by a very detailed history of the development of the flower 
of one of the papilionaceous Leguminose. 
However, on the other hand, M. Adolphe Brongniart + had 
established the fact, that in the very young buds of mono- 
petalous flowers, the corolla at first forms a kind of minute ring 
around the stamens. A high authority, Mr. R. Brownf, also 
adopts this view: he says, “ In the description of the modifica- 
tions of the ovary and stigmia which I have given, in conformity 
with the ordinary language of botanists, I have employed the 
term confluence, by which however we must not understand the 
union or cohesion of parts originally distinct. For in the great 
majority of cases, the separation or the complete development of 
these parts from their original cellular and pulpy state has never 
occurred ; but with this understanding the term may be preserved, 
unless we prefer the word connate as subject to less objection.” 
The previous memoirs of M. Duchartre led to the same result, b 
proving in certain cases the union of certain parts of the flower 
after their first appearance ; and we shall see that he has found 
new examples of this original cohesion in the Malvacee. 
There is another class of facts in the history of the flower 
which may throw great light upon organogenic researches ; such 
are those known by the name of duplication. Frequently in the 
place which should be occupied by a single organ we find two 
or more arranged in the same plane, or in several different planes, 
2.é. in bundles. Each of these bundles may then be considered 
to represent a single leaf. Is this the case? and how has this 
multiplication of organs, this duplication of a single one, oc- 
curred ? 
The family of the Malvacee is well-chosen for studying this 
question. In that of the Byttneriacee, which was once united 
with it, and which, although now separated, cannot be far re- 
moved from it, and evidently forms part of the same natural 
group, we sometimes find only five stamens opposed to as many 
petals ; sometimes opposite each petal, a system of several united 
* Wiegmann’s Archiv. [A translation of this paper appeared in the 
Philosophical Magazine for Feb. ee Ep. i 
t Ann. des Sc. Nat. vol. xxiii. p-2 { Plant. Javan. Rar. p. 112. 
