168 OF THE FULCRA, 



same natural order and even genus, is not invariably 

 so. Some species of Cistus have stipulas, others 

 none, which is nearly the case with grasses. The 

 stipula in this, one of the most distinct of all natural 

 orders, is peculiar, consisting of an internal white 

 membrane crowning the sheath of their leaf, and 

 clasping the culm. See Phalaris canariensis, EngL 

 Bot. t. 1310, and Lagurus ovatus, t. 1334. In 

 Aria c&rulea, t. 750, a few minute hairs supply its 

 place, while Sesleria carulea, t. 1613, and some 

 maritime grasses, have scarcely more than the rudi- 

 ment of a stipula. Old writers call this organ in 

 grasses by a peculiar name ligula, and others deno- 

 minate it membrana Joliorum, but both terms are 

 superfluous. A curious instance of stipulas supply- 

 ing the place of leaves is observable in Lathy rus 

 Aphaca, t. ] 1 67, which has only one or two pair 

 of real leaves on the seedling plants, and those soon 

 disappear, serving chiefly to prove, if any proof were 

 wanted, that the rest are true stipulas. 



Remarkably scariose, or dry membranous stipulas 

 are seen in lllecebrum Parojiychia, Ft. Grac. t. 246, 

 and in the genus Pinus. 



2. Bractea. The floral leaf, a leafy appendage to the 

 flower or its stalk. It is of a variety of forms, and 

 sometimes green, sometimes coloured. The Lime- 

 trees, Tilia europaa, /. 117, EngL Bot. t. 610, 

 and pamifolia, t. 1705, have a very peculiar oblong 



