REVIEWS. 239 



expect to find in the higher sub-kingdoms, is quite consistent with Mr. 

 Clarke's attempt to connect the muscal alliance with Epigynose Dico- 

 tyledonese. Granting that he is right, that Epigynose plants are 

 lower in _ structure than Hypogynose, from which Perigynose cannot 

 be properly separated, we have still to consider the proper position of 

 Gymnospermae, and many powerful arguments may be adduced in jus- 

 tification of their usual position below other Dicotyledonese, but even 

 passing by this point, what is the true value of Mr. Clarke's analogies 1 

 Grant that some Bryacese are parasitical, though more are only epi- 

 phytical, but parasitism is a mode of nutrition found in various parts 

 of the vegetable system far removed from each other. The involucre 

 of Jungermanniaceae is compared with those occurring in Chamselau- 

 ciaceee, Calyceraceae, and Dipsacese. The analogy is surely but a 

 slight one, and other cases may prove it unimportant. In Quercus 

 the female fruit is surrounded by numerous scales, which are leafy 

 organs. The fruit of palms of the section Calamese is enveloped in 

 such scales, completely combined into one covering, and in both 

 instances the single seed has overpowered the rudiments of other car- 

 pels with their germs ; yet there is no relation between Quercus and 

 the Calamese ; and though leafy organs tnay give origin to the teeth 

 on the urn-shaped capsule or spore-case of Bryacese, their structure 

 is so far removed from that of Epigynose Dicotyledonese, and adher- 

 ence of parts under pressure, is so widely diffused a phenomenon of veg- 

 etable growth that no inference can be drawn from the resemblance, 

 such as it is. Assuming that the diclinous and apetalous characters are 

 but of secondary importance, and that there is no clear or useful line be- 

 tween Hypogynosse and Perigynosse, then if this kind of character, foun- 

 ded on the closeness or separation of the circles of the flower, be really 

 available for leading distinctions, we ought in the sub-kingdom Dico- 

 tyledonese to place Gymnospermae as the lowest class, Epigynosse 

 next, and Hypgynosse as the highest ; but ought we not rather to 

 derive our classes from particulars relating to the embryo ? and are 

 we yet prepared to say that this is impossible ? 



"We are far from being satisfied with Mr. Clarke's view of the analogies 

 between the vegetable and animal kingdoms. It is no doubt true that 

 the total absence from plants of the sensory and motive organs limits 

 our opportunities for noting differences amongst them : and with 

 respect to nutrition, whilst animals, living on organized substances, 

 have great variety in the means for securing what they need, plants 



Vol. XI. R 



