ON THE DIVISIONS OP STIGMA/ fee.™ 



To estimate correctly the importance of the relation be- 

 tween the divisions of the Stigma and the parietal placentae 

 of the compound ovarium, namely, whether vi^hen agreeing [io8 

 in number they are placed opposite to or alternate Avith 

 each other, it is necessary to take into consideration the 

 theoretical view wdiich appears the most probable of the 

 origin or formation of a simple ovarium, and that of the 

 stigma belonging to it, as well as the various kinds and 

 degrees of confluence by which the real nature of both 

 organs, but especially the latter, is so often obscured. 



It is at present, I believe, universally agreed to consider 

 a polyspermous legumen as that state of the simple ovarium, 

 which best exemplifies the hypothetical view of the forma- 

 tion of this organ generally adopted ; namely, that it consists 

 of the modification of a leaf folded inwards and miited by 

 its margins, which in most cases are the only parts of the 

 organ producing ovula ; or, at least, where this power of 

 production is not absolutely confined to the margins, it 

 generally commences with or includes them. 



The exceptions to the structure as here stated are of two 

 kinds : — 



First. Where the whole internal surface of the carpel is 

 equally ovuliferous, wdiich is the case in a few families of very 

 small extent, as Butomece, Nymplmacece, and Lardizahalem. 



' [Extracted from Mr. Brown's account of Cyrtandrea;, given in the second 

 part of Dr. Horsfield's ' Piantae Javanicse Kariores,' published m 1840. Sepa- 

 rate copies of this note were distributed in December, 1839.— ;S'(?zV. Ann. Nat. 

 HistPi 



