PHANEROGAMIA : FLOWERS. 



365 



tinctly (as in the whole family of Scrophulariacea). In its fully- 

 formed condition, however, it is more frequently quite uniform, as 

 in Ruellia formosa, Calystegia, and many Polemoniacece. It some- 

 times, also, shares the symmetry of the flower, as in Gesneria and 

 Pedicular is. 



In the matters treated of in the preceding paragraphs, an indescribable 

 confusion prevails, which results from a total neglect of the development. 

 To settle this question at once, is beyond the power of an individual ; 

 and it is a subject for research in the highest degree serviceable, and yet 

 by no means of great difficulty, by as comprehensive as possible mono- 

 graphic examination of these structures, and an exhibition of their 

 nature founded on the development, to establish at least a temporary 

 basis, from which then further advance may be made. In the foregoing 

 sections I have only been able to give indications. These structures, as 

 well as the entire series of independent appendages of the floral enve- 

 lopes and stamens, and a portion of the peculiar forms of the axial organ 

 of the flower, are almost all described under the same names, sometimes 

 as paracorolla, with its subdivisions, corona, fornix, cuculli, cylindrus, 

 &c., sometimes as discus or nectaria, sometimes as staminodia, &c. ; and 

 the question never being mooted, whether parts offering similar appear- 

 ances may not have very various origin, and what ? I have endeavoured 

 to establish the definition of the accessory corolla in contradistinction to 

 the floral envelopes, and thus to render possible a simple and consequent 

 terminology. 



For the elucidation of the matter, I give some examples. 



In the Ranunculacece (Helleborece), I term the external leaves of the 

 floral envelopes the perianth (fig. 212, A. a. b. c. d. e.), and the inner 

 ones, which are always diverse in form, and often dwindled in develop- 

 ment, the accessory corolla (fig. 212, B.). So I term the palea3 of the 

 Grasses the perianth (fig. 213, A. c. d. B.}, and the scales (squamulce, 

 Rob. Br.) I term the accessory corolla (fig. 213, C. h. h.). From these 



213 



A, Flower : a to e, five perianthial leaves j e, hood shaped ; 



B, Accessory petal. 



Phalaris ccerulescens. A, Spikelet : o and 6, spathe formed of two bractea (ra/r<c 

 gluma, Auct.) ; c, d, one free and two coherent perianthial leaves (palea, Auct. ); 



912 Aconitum napellus. 

 f, g, h, three hracteoles. 



