NATURAL ORDERS. 137 



this remarkable, and I believe, peculiar structure of ovarium, 

 that induced me to propose, not their absolute union into 

 one family, but their approximation in the natural series. 

 I at the same time,^ however, pointed out all the objections 

 that M. de Jussieu has since stated to this affinity." 



Of these objections the two principal are the double 

 floral envelope and ovarium superum of Olax, opposed to 

 the simple perianthium and ovarium inferum in Santalaceas. 



The first objection loses much of its importance, both on 

 considering that QuiiichamaUum, a genus in every other [«3 

 respect resembling Thesium, has an outer floral envelope 

 surrounding its ovarium, and having more the usual ap- 

 pearance of calyx than that of Olax ; and also in adverting 

 to the generally admitted association of Loranthus and 

 Viscum, of which the former is provided with both calyx 

 and corolla, the latter, in its male flowers at least, with 

 only a single envelope, and that analagous to the corolla of 

 Loranthus.^ 



The second objection seems to be equally Aveakened by 

 the obvious affinity of Santalacese to Exocarpus, which has 

 not only ovarium superum, but the fleshy receptacle of 

 whose fruit, similar to that of Taxus, perfectly resembles, 

 and may be supposed in some degree analogous to, the 

 enlarged calyx of certain species of Olax. 



To these objections M. de Jussieu has added a third, 

 which, were it well founded, would be more formidable 

 than either of them, namely, that the ovarium of Santalacese 

 is monospermous ;' a statement, however, which I conclude 

 must have proceeded from mere inadvertency. 



URTICEtE. In the collection the plants of this family, 

 taking it in the most extensive sense, and considering it as 

 a class rather than an order, belong chiefly to Ficiis, of 

 Avhich there are seven species. One of these is very nearly 

 related to Eicus religiosa ; and like that species in India, 

 is regarded as a sacred tree on the banks of the Congo. 



' Piodr. Flor. Nov. Holl. \,p. 351. Flinders' Voy. 2, p. 571-2. {Ante, p. 44.) 



= Mem. da Mus. d'Hist. Nat. 3, p. 439. 



=■ Prodr. Flor. Nov. Holl. 1, p. 352. 



* Mem. du Mus. d'Hist. Nat. 2, p. 439. 



