Dr. B. Seemann on the Relationship of Cannabinacer. 199 
XXI.—WNote on the Relationship of Cannabinaccee. 
By Berruoip Seemann, Ph.D., F.L.S. 
Iv appears to be a growing conviction that the apetalous Exogens 
are not so intimately connected with each other as was formerly 
thought, but merely held together by the artificial character of 
not possessing perfect flowers, and that their relationship is to 
be sought rather amongst plants possessing both calyx and co- 
rolla than amongst those forms with which they have hitherto 
been associated. ‘The number of apetalous orders kept systema- 
tically apart from petalous ones is constantly diminishing as the 
inks connecting them with more highly developed types are disco- 
vered ; nevertheless a good many still remain to be disposed of, 
and amongst them are the Cannabinacee, an order composed of 
threespecies, viz. Cannabis sativa, Linn., Humulus Lupulus, Linn., 
and H. japonicus, Sieb. et Zucc. Whilst fully admitting their 
intimate connexion with the More, Artocarpez, and Urticez 
proper, they seem to present a number of characters proving 
them close allies of the Acerineze and Malpighiacee. They 
agree with both in having opposite leaves, an imbricated calyx, 
suspended ovules, indehiscent fruit, exalbuminous seed, and 
convolute embryo. They share with Acerinez the palmati- 
nerved leaves and bifid stigma, with Malpighiaceze the occa- 
sional climbing habit, hair affixed in the middle, stipules, pani- 
culate flowers, solitary ovule, and superior radicle, showing the 
balance to be in favour of Malpighiaceee. Without overrating 
habit, it is entitled to some weight. Whilst there is not a single 
winding Urticea, Artocarpea, or Morea, there are two winding 
Cannabinaceee and a number of winding Malpighiacee. Hair 
affixed in the middle, so frequent amongst Malpighiacez, occurs 
in Humulus japonicus, but not in any other Urticaceous or other 
order of Dicotyledons, except Papilionacese (Indigofera). The 
presence of stipules and paniculate flowers is also important, 
whilst the solitary ovules and superior radicle are still more im- 
portant considerations. The strong diclious tendency and 
solitary carpels of Cannabinaceze will probably be raised as 
objections to the view here ventilated, as being against the 
alliance with Endlicher’s Acera and Lindley’s Sapindales. It 
must, however, be remembered that polygamous flowers are 
common both in Acerineze and Malpighiacez, whilst hermaphro- 
dite ones are by no means rare in Humulus as well as in Cannabis. 
(Conf. Masters in ‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle’ and Regel’s ‘ Partheno- 
genesis.’) Nor do the solitary carpels present any difficulty. 
Petiveriaceze, which do possess such solitary carpels, have already 
been ranged by Lindley between Sapindacez and Acerinez. In 
fact, Lindley’s diagnosis of Sapindales—“ Hypogynous Exogens, 
