.58 LETTER XXXI. 



which lies in the seed, is an oblong succulent mass, 

 half split into two parts {fig. O.)* 



In attempting to fix the natural relationship of 

 Begonia to other plants, we need not occupy ourselves 

 with the little resemblances it may bear to this group, 

 or that, in one or two particulars. But, as should be 

 done in all such cases, I will beg you to confine your 

 attention to its more striking peculiarities, and to 

 their conformity wdth what can be found elsewhere. 

 Now what are its more striking peculiarities 1 They 

 may be collected under several heads ; the stamens 

 and pistils are in different flowers ; the stigmas are 

 two-lobed ; the stamens are all combined into a single 

 column ; and the anthers have a remarkably thick 

 connective ; the calyx and corolla are in twos ; that 

 is, there are two sepals and two petals ; and the ovary 

 is inferior, three-celled, with many-seeded double 

 placentae. 



Many groups of plants can be found, in which 

 some one of these circumstances equally exists, but it 

 is only when two at least occur, that a comparison can 

 be usefully instituted. For example, the Cactus Tribe 

 has a many-seeded inferior ovary ; the Myrtle Tribe, in 

 many cases, a three-celled inferior ovary ; the Mallow 

 Tribe, the stamens combined into a column ; the 

 Maple Tribe, a winged fruit ; and so on ; but in all 

 these cases the resemblance can scarcely be traced 

 further. 



The natural assemblages in which the greatest 

 number of points of resemblance can be found with 

 Begonias, are the Euphorbia Tribe, to be examined 

 hereafter, the Gourd Tribe, the Evening Primrose 



