64 
plume. The commonest form is an apical tuft. Basal tufts 
D ithoat apical ones are characteristic of Wrightia; basal and apical 
t occur together in Isonema, ium, and Haplophyton ; 
species of Strophanthus; basal awns alone in Kickxia and 
Funtumia. Where two tufts or a tuft and a plumose awn occur 
simultaneously, the basal tuft is often early deciduous and does 
not leave the follicle with the seed; nevertheless its occurrence 
proves there is a more general disposition towards eid 
the flying contrivance from the chalazal end of the seed than 
generally assume t the same ibis we see that tiie presence of 
this peculiar disseminative organ is not confined to genera whic 
are admittedly close allies, as a glance at the different attempts 
to group the genera of Echitideae will show. To summarise 
briefly, the basal awn of the € T Kickria and Funtumia 
is unique in the order in so far as no other case known, the 
asa in 
eculiar modification, but it has its homologue in several not 
closely allied genera, and therefore cannot ‘be co onsidered as a 
character in itself indicative of close relationship. 
What is true of the basal awn may be said of the apical plumose 
awn of Strophanthus, Laubertia, Stipecoma, Urechiies, ete. It 
is the Pal sa of the usual eles! tuft of the majority of 
Tanen and. occurs also in genera otherwise not closely linked 
together 
It is irütà conceivable that the basal awns in Kickxia and 
Funtumia have been evolved from the basal tufts of two types 
s : i 
ce 
otii) of the two genera and their place in the natural 
System of Echitideae we must look out for other characters. Both 
genera an embryo with contortuplicate cotyledons, a 
feature almost as iani d in the order as the basal seed-awn, flat 
foliaceous or planoconvex cotyledons being the rule. 
rhe 
Echitideae an olarr in Plumerieae where it occupies a 
somewhat anomalous position. We should not fare better with 
any other character if salen saei although anyone might form a 
ns. 
scope of the present paper, as it would involve a critical revision 
of the whole tribe of Echitideae; for it is only from a thorough and 
comprehensive investigation into the structure of the genera com- 
ing the tribe that we may hope to solve the intricate problem 
of their mutual relationship. 
' If I may venture to suggest a place for Kickeia, it would be 
ear Wrightia. The suggestion is not new; it was made b 
Bei in y onmes pg iv. p. p. 26, on account of general resemblances, 
