allied to the Natural Order Burmanniacese. 653 



to be considered as marginal ; and although a confluence of the two stigmata 

 of each carpel is the more usual structure, he adduces some cases, of compara- 

 tively rare occurrence, in which the stigmata of the adjoining carpels are 

 confluent, as in Parnassia, many Cruciferce, and Papaveracece, as well as in 

 the majority of Iridece, such cases of deviation being often, according to him, 

 obviously connected with adaptation of surface to the more complete perform- 

 ance of function*. These views may in like manner be applied to Burman- 

 niacece ; thus in Dictyostega we may conceive that there exists a confluence, 

 not only of the ovuliferous margins of the adjoining carpellary leaves, but of 

 the adjacent stigmata of the several carpels, differing thus from Orchidece, 

 where, in cases of their complete development, the stigmata of each carpel are 

 united and remain distinct from those of the adjoining component part of the 

 pistillum. The probability of this conclusion is strengthened by the appear- 

 ance of the lateral lobes of the stigmata of Dictyostega, and by the two horn- 

 like appendages of those of Apteria, as shown in the figures illustrative of 

 these parts. Although the trilocular Burtnanniacece will be seen to agree with 

 those Iridece to which Mr. Brown has referred, by having the stigmata alter- 

 nate with the placentae, they still differ from that order in having their stamens 

 constantly opposite to the inner segments of the perianthium ; and notwith- 

 standing the close affinity shown to exist between this family and Orchideai, 

 we have here, independent of all other considerations, a sufficiently well-de- 

 fined character in the position of stigmata, to establish a line of complete 

 distinction between them. 



EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 

 Tab. XXXVn. 



Fig. 1 . Dictyostega orobanchioides. 



a. Flower, magnified, to show the aestivation. 



b. Ditto, with the perianthium cut open, to show the stamens and 



pistillum. 



c. Stamen, seen sideways. 



d. Ditto, seen in front, with one of the cells of the anther burst. 



* Plantee Javanica, p. 110. 



