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XXXV. On some new Brazilian Plants allied to the Natural Order 

 Burmanniacese. By John Miers, Esq., F.L.S. 



Read March 3rd and 17th, 1840. 



A VENTURE to present to the notice of the Linnean Society the following 

 observations on some new and interesting plants found by me in Brazil, and 

 bearing a close affinity to Burmannia. They appear to constitute the types 

 of new genera ; and though at first sight they would seem to belong to 

 Burmanniacece, I think it will be admitted that the differences they present 

 entitle them to be considered as forming, if not a new natural order, at least a 

 very distinct subfamily. We are already indebted to the learned Dr. Von Mar- 

 tius for a knowledge of several Burmannias indigenous to Brazil. In his Nova 

 Genera et Species Plantarum Brasiliensium not only are the characters of the 

 genus Burmannia ably detailed, but five Brazilian species, which he met with 

 in the interior provinces, are there fully described. The same genus has also 

 been met with in North America, two species having been found to which the 

 name of Tripterella was given by Michaux. Seven other species have likewise 

 been found in Africa, India, and New Holland. These are all the plants, as 

 far as I can learn, that correspond with the character hitherto given of Bur- 

 manniaceoi. The North American plant described by Mr. Nuttall under the 

 name of Apteria setacea, as well as two new species discovered by Dr. Blume 

 in Java and called by, him Gonyanthes Candida and Gymnosiphon aphyllum, 

 will be hereafter mentioned. 



I have had no opportunity of examining any species of Burmannia, except 

 B. bicolor. Mart., which was first discovered in 1818 by Dr. Von Martius in the 

 province of Minas Geraes. Mr. Gardner also found the same species in 1 837 in 

 his ascent to the higher portions of the Organ Mountain- range in the province 

 of Rio de Janeiro ; and to him I am indebted for a specimen which lias 

 enabled me to comprehend more correctly the relation which my plants bear 



