CHAP. VIII. VIOLA. 313 



The first point that strikes us in considering this list 

 of 55 genera, is that they are very widely distributed 

 in the vegetable series. They are more common in the 

 family of the Leguminosae than in any other, and next 

 in order in that of the Acanthaceae and Malpighiaceaa. 



A large number, but not all the species, of certain 

 genera, as of Oxalis and Viola, bear eleistogamic as well 

 as ordinary flowers. A second point which deserves no- 

 tice is that a considerable proportion of the genera pro- 

 duce more or less irregular flowers ; this is the case with 

 about 32 out of the 55 genera, but to this subject I shall 

 recur. 



I formerly made many observations on eleistogamic 

 flowers, but only a few of them are worth giving, since 

 the appearance of an admirable paper by Hugo von 

 Mohl,* whose examination was in some respects much 

 more complete than mine. His paper includes also an 

 interesting history of our knowledge on the subject. 



Viola canina. The calyx of the eleistogamic flowers 

 differs in no respect from that of the perfect ones. The 

 petals are reduced to five minute scales; the lower one, 

 which represents the lower lip, is considerably larger 

 than the others, but with no trace of the spur-like 

 nectary; its margins are smooth, whilst those of the 

 other four scale-like petals are papillose. D. Miiller of 

 Upsala says that in the specimens which he observed 

 the petals were completely aborted, f The stamens are 

 very small, and only the two lower ones are provided 

 with anthers, which do not cohere together as in the 

 perfect flowers. The anthers are minute, with the two 



included in the list. From what *'Bot. Zeitung,' 1863, p. 30&- 



France ' torn, x., 1863. p. 195, this contains the first full and satisfac- 



plant appears to produce cleisto- tory account of any cleistogarmc 



pamic flowers. The other additions flower. 

 to the list are noticed in my text. 



