370 MORPHOLOGY. 



the inferior germen is only a shallow excavation, as in Saxifra- 

 gacecs and Myrtacece, the part which the foliar organs play in the 

 formation of the cavity is very important (germen semiinferum) ; 

 if the germen is already, by the form of the iriternodes, closed at 

 the upper part, as in the Onagracece, then they only form the styles 

 and the stigmas. If, however, as not unfrequently happens, the 

 tube formed of the internodes is elongated above the floral en- 

 velopes, a false style is produced, formed from the internodes, 

 which then commonly bears the stamens ; and the carpels remain 

 only as small scales, forming the stigma ; or they are entirely 

 wanting. This is the structure in the Orchidacecs and Aristolo- 

 chiacea ; and it is strikingly exhibited in the StylidiacecB. In these 

 germens no false dissepiments can be naturally formed ; but the 

 spermophore frequently forms false septa, and indeed, I believe, 

 with few exceptions, opposite to the carpels, and therefore to the 

 stigmas. 



IV. Of the superior Stem-germen. In Passiflora the superior 

 germen originates from a cup-shaped axis, at whose edges the car- 

 pels arise, which form styles and stigma. 



Y. Of the Stem-pistil. In the Leguminosce and LiliacecB, and 

 perhaps in some other families, the extremity of the axis within the 

 other floral parts is gradually developed to one or more flat leaf- 

 like stems. These contribute to the formation of a pistil exactly 

 like true leaves. The seed-buds are formed on the incurved 

 borders below, whilst the upper part is gradually developed to 

 styles and stigmas. 



In the foregoing exposition of the origin of the germen, two essential 

 points must be dwelt upon. The first is the formation of it from very 

 different parts. It is around this subject particularly that the morpho- 

 logy of plants has hitherto groped in complete darkness, and it could do 

 no other while men were content to labour upon the detail, without any 

 principle of investigation to ensure certain results. The history of de- 

 velopment can alone be our guide here, and will lead us to infallible 

 conclusions so soon as it is generally recognised in its true light. Here 

 I have, of course, been able to give but a small contribution, since a 

 whole science is beyond the power of any individual, much more mine, 

 Of anterior labours on this point, I found none ; and much, an infinite 

 amount, still remains to be investigated. The following axioms form the 

 ground-work here : A normal bud and a leaf never originate regularly 

 on or out of a leaf in the Phanerogamia, but from an axial structure ; 

 where, therefore, normal buds or leaves originate, the foundation from 

 which they arise must be an axial organ. An organ which, from its 

 first origin, is single and undivided, can only be explained as a com- 

 bination of many parts by visionary speculation, not by healthy inquiry 

 into nature. Undoubted axial organs occur in the so-called ibliaceous 

 form (e.g., Phyllanthus), bearing buds upon their margins. Undoubted 

 axial organs form flat laminae, concave lamina, and even long, hollow, 

 flask-shaped forms, almost closed at the summit (e. g., Ficus). If, then, 

 we examine the inferior germens of Iridacece, Onagracete, Composites, &c. 

 in course of formation, we always find that the cavity of the germen is 



