376 Rafintsque on the Genus Floerkea. 



opsia next to the genus Myriophyllum : while the genus Flo- 

 erkea which has a hilohed ovary, one central style, two stigmas, 

 and one hilocular dispermous achen, must belong to the eleventh 

 order of the same class ; Isostimia, which is characterized bj 

 having more than one stigma, the stamens in regular number, 

 and not central ; it will form a connecting link between this 

 order and the foregoing Polymesia, by its affinity with many ge- 

 nera of the Euphorbia'' s tribe, snch afiCallitriche, Tragia, Mer- 

 curialis, &c. from which it differs merely by having herma- 

 phrodite flowers, and pei'ispheric regular stamens. It will at 

 present stand nearly isolated in this order, where it may form 

 the small family Galenidia, along with the genus Galenia, &c. 

 and which shall have much affinity with the family Phytolacia ; 

 but this diflfers by having a multilocular berry, while the Gale- 

 nia merely diflfers by having a 4 sided perigone, 8 stamens, 

 and 2 styles. 



I admit, however, that there is a strong affinity between the 

 genera Floerkea and JVectris, but stronger affinities often exist 

 in plants of different classes. If, however, it should happen 

 that Aublet* might have been mistaken in describing the ova- 

 ries and capsules of the JVectris as double, if they should prove 

 to be simple but bilobed, then the JVectris would belong to the 

 same family as the Floerkea ; but yet stand as a peculiar genus 

 distinguished by having 2 styles, and the achens not monos- 

 permous ! 



It was insinuated to me by Mr. Correa, that the Floerkea 

 might have some affinity with the tribe of Ranunculaceous, but 

 I cannot discover any, since that tribe js widely different, by 

 having many ovaries, stamens, and fruits, each ovary with 1 

 style or stigma, a deciduous perigone, the anthers adnate, &c. 

 The analogy in the structure of the seed and habit, is too slight 

 to be taken in consideration. 



*Mr. Stephen Elliott has confirmed the description of Aublet, in his Botany of 

 the Southern States. (Received January, 1818. Editor.) 



