242 M.Duchartre on the Organogeny of the Malvacee. 
stamens, consequently represented in the first case by a single 
one; and alternating with these systems of stamens in a circle a 
little more internally situated, an equal number of lobes or teeth, 
which according to the laws of position should represent the row 
of normal stamens,—that which should alternate with these same 
petals. In the true Malvacee we find a large number of sta- 
mens cohering inferiorly into a single hollow column, which en- 
velopes the pistil; but notwithstanding the apparent confusion 
resulting from their multiplicity, it is not difficult to perceive, in 
many cases, that this collection of stamens is divided into five 
groups, which are opposite to the petals ; and even where it is 
difficult to prove this distinction, it is indicated by the existence 
of double vascular bundles, which, arising from the base of the 
petal, follow the column to its summit, where it divides into a 
large number of antheriferous filaments. * Frequently the column 
within and above these threads is divided at the summit into five 
more internal teeth alternating with these vascular bundles, and 
these more or less distinct groups of stamens; these teeth are 
incontestably analogous to those described in many of the Bytt- 
neriacee. Finally, in the centre of the flower we find a pistil 
composed of five more or less intimately combined carpels ;_ but 
at other times the carpels are more than five,and even become very 
numerous, and either still arranged in a circle or situated at un- 
equal heights, so as to form together a kind of capitulum. Does 
each of these carpels then represent a carpellary leaf? or is each 
of these five carpellary leaves doubled so as to simulate several ? 
Their arrangement in five distinct systems can hardly leave a 
doubt on this pomt in Kitaibelia; but in Malope, and others 
of the same group, an apparent confusion results from the un- 
equal or completely arrested developments of a certain number 
of carpels. 
In tracing these parts from their first appearance, we should 
expect a decided answer to these questions; this is what M. Du- 
chartre has proposed in the memoir before us, and which it re- 
mains for us to analyse. 
The calyx, which at a later period becomes monophyllous with 
five divisions, appears at first in the form of a contimuous rim, 
surrounding the central mass of the flower, bounded by a large 
convex tubercle having no distinction of parts. This border soon 
sends off five small festoons, which correspond to the five sepals 
thus united at the base from the commencement. The author 
insists upon this mode of formation, which he has found in the 
envelopes of all those flowers having a monophyllous calyx or 
corolla, the development of which he has had an opportunity of 
studying. The petals and stamens may be subsequently distin- 
guished and are simultaneously developed, so that it is well to 
