348 DE CANDOLLE'S CLASSIFICATION. 



Sub-class 1. Thalamiflorce. Polypetalous Exogens, in which 

 the stamens arise from the disk, that is, are hypogynous. Some- 

 times the stamens adhere slightly to the sides of the ovary, but 

 they are never epigynous, nor perigynous (. 498). 



Sub-class 2. Calyciflorce. Polypetalous Exogens, in which 

 the stamens arise from the calyx or corolla, that is, are 

 perigynous. 



In the next Sub-class, the flowers, still possessing both calyx 

 and corolla, have the latter formed of united petals, or are 

 Monopetalous. In this division, the position of the stamens is 

 not regarded as a primary character. 



Sub-class 3. Corolliflorcc. Monopetalous Exogens. 



In the lowest group, the corolla is always absent, making the 

 flower Apetalous ; and the calyx is not uniformly present. This 

 character is regarded as sufficiently marking the group. 



Sub-class 4. Monochlamydece, Apetalous Exogens. 



The object of this classification is to proceed from what are 

 considered the most perfectly- organised Exogens, to those which 

 are least so. Thus all the parts are present and distinct from 

 each other in Thalamiflorce ; other things remaining the same, 

 the stamens adhere to the perianth in Calyciftorce ; the petals 

 join together in Corolliflorce ; and in Monochlamydece first the 

 corolla disappears, and then, among the most imperfect orders 

 the calyx ceases to be developed. 



503. The class of ENDOGENS is not divided, by De Candolle, 

 into any Sub-classes. It will, however, be convenient to con- 

 sider their orders as characterised by the completeness or incom- 

 pleteness of their flowers. The Complete Endogens may be 

 again sub-divided into those with a superior^ and those with an 

 inferior ovarium. The orders having Incomplete flowers are 

 separated into those, in which a cluster of flowers is inclosed in 

 a single large bract, termed a Spathe, which is frequently coloured 

 (as in the Arum tribe); and those in which the perianth of each 

 flower is replaced by scale-like bracts, as in the Grasses. 



