140 
an Formen einer anderen Reihe gestatten, dann sind dieselben aus der ersteren zu 
entfernen und an die andere anzuschliefen. 
In my opinion, however, such is not the case. As I have discussed series 
after series, the several groups bear a close or loose relation to other groups, . 
some of which lie near the group under. consideration and some far from it, 
even judging from our present limited knowledge. Some species assignable 
to a series in one respect are just as clearly referable to another series in 
another respect. It is absolutely impossible to make up more natural groups, 
by taking one form from its old place to a new one. Natural relations should, 
in any case, appear in the dynamic view. 
Now, we should examine the Polypetalous groups. Let us begin with 
the Centrosperme. This series is related to the Batidales, Polygonales, 
Urticales, and Santalales, as has been discussed before. It is also allied to the 
Parietales, as is indicated by the agreement in the position of stamens in the 
Portulacacese and Loasacew”. On the other hand, the resemblance is to he 
found in this series and the Rhceadales, the floral structure being somewhat 
similar in the Phytolaccacese and Tovariacee” (BENTH.-HooKER). Further, it 
bears some relation to the Geraniales, in the matter of the incontestable re- 
semblance in the Caryophyllacese-Silenoides and the Linaces”. Moreover, a 
striking affinity of the Centrosperme to the Opuntiales is suggested in 
Mesembrianthemum of the Aizoacese and in Opuntia of the Cactacee in the 
floral structure”. The Centrosperms# are, therefore, related to the Batidales, 
Polygonales, Urticales, Santalales, Parietales, Ranales, Rhoeadales, and Geraniales, 
in this point or that. heir natural position should be a very dynamic 
one. 
Next come the Ranales. As this series implies many different things, 
its relations extend to many other series. Some families of the Ranales are 
closely allied to the Monocotyledones and some are, if not very evidently, even to 
the Metachlamydex. The relations of the Ranales to the Urticales, Helobie 
and Aristolochiales, we have treated above. Their affinity to the Ebenales can not 
1) Nat. Pfl-fam. IIL—6, a, p. 106. 2) Nat. Pé.-fam. IM.—2, p. 207. 
3) Nat. PAé.-fam. III—4, p. 30. 4) Wertsrem, R. R.—1. ¢. p. 533. 
5) Enozmr, A. — Erliuterungen, 1]. ¢ p, 364, 
