1896 | BOTANICAL PAPERS AT BUFFALO 225 
The ultimate development of the compound ovary is in the 
direction of a simplification of structure. Thus the many carpels 
of most Thalamiflore and Heteromere are gradually reduced to 
the two carpels of the Bicarpellate. In the Calyciflore the 
Rosales and Myrtales have generally several to many carpels, 
while in the Umbellales there are but two. Likewise in Infere 
the ovary in the lower group, Rubiales, has more carpels than 
we findin the highest group, Asterales. A similar simplifica- 
tion occurs in the monocotyledons, as we pass from the Coro- 
nariee to the sedges and grasses. This simplification of struc- 
ture results in increased paternal care of the offspring. Thus 
while many embryos are to be nourished in the earlier cases, 
there are but one or two in the later. The biological signifi- 
cance of this result is so well known as to need no discussion 
ere, 
When we come to an application of what we know of the 
compound ovary to systematic botany, it appears to me that the 
following conclusions are warranted : (az) the apocarpous plants 
are to be regarded as lower than those which are syncarpous, 
and ina natural arrangement the former must precede the lat- 
cae. (2) we must carefully distinguish between ovaries which 
are primitively simple, and those which have become simplified 
from a more complex structure, in which cases the first indicate 
a lower, and the second a higher position in the natural system ; 
(¢) grasses, sedges, etc., in which the ovaries are simplified 
ite oo type, are not the lowest of the seme 7 
Supls “) willows, oaks, walnuts, etc., with their aise 
cad ower structure, are not to be regarded as among the 
of the dicotyledons. 
pa HL. Russet: On the bacterial flora of cheddar cheese.— The 
c ae Presented a quantitative delimitation of the bacteria in 
oo from the time it is first made until it has been 
three - ly brokendown. The botanical changes are divided into 
(2) “8es, as follows: (1) period of initial bacterial decliss 
“/ Petiod of bacterial increase, (3) period of final decline. As 
