allied to the Natural Order Burmanniaceœ. 553 



to be considered as marginal ; and although a confluence of the two stigmata 

 of each carpel is the mote usual structure, he adduces some cases, of compara- 

 tively rare occurrence, in wliich tlie stigmata of the adjoining carpels art- 

 confluent, as in Parnus.s'id, many Cruciferce, and Papaveraceœ, as well as in 

 the majority of Irideœ, such cases of deviation being often, according to liim, 

 obviously connected with adaptation of surface to the more complete perform- 

 ance of function*. These views may in like manner be applied to Burman- 

 niaceœ; thus in Dicti/ostega we may conceive that there exists a confluence, 

 not only of tlie ovuliferous margins of tlie adjoining carpellary leaves, but of 

 the adjacent stigmata of the several carpels, differing thus from Orcliidew, 

 where, in cases of their complete development, the stigmata of each carpel are 

 united and remain distinct from those of the adjoining component part of the 

 pistillum. The probability of this conclusion is strengthened by the appear- 

 ance of the lateral lobes of the stigmata of D'lctyostega, and by the two horn- 

 like appendages of those of Jpteria, as shown in the figures illustrative of 

 these parts. Although the tvWocvAnv Burmanmacecew'xW be seen to agree with 

 those Irideœ to which Mr. Brown has referred, by having the stigmata alter- 

 nate with the placentae, they still differ from that order in having their stamens 

 constantly opposite to the inner segments of the perianthium ; and notwith- 

 standing the close affinity shown to exist between this family and Orcliideœ., 

 we have here, independent of all other considerations, a sufficiently well-de- 

 fined character in the position of stigmata, to establish a line of complete 

 distinction between them. 



EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 

 Tab. XXXVII. 



Fig. 1 . Dicti/ostega orobanchioides. 



a. Flower, magnified, to show the aestivation. 



b. Ditto, with the perianthium cut open, to show the stamens and 



pistillum. 



c. Stamen, seen sideways. 



d. Ditto, seen in front, with one of the cells of the anther burst. 



* Phinta Javanicte, p. 110. 



