AND OTHER GYMNOSPERMS. 



377 



are more permanent in some cases than carpellary leaves, se- 

 condly that female flowers may literally consist of nothing but an 

 ovule, as in Gnetum, thus strengthening Mr. Browns view. It would 

 be needless to assert that the scales of this genus are carpellary leaves, 

 because the ovula have no manner connection with them. I should 

 not be surprised, were ample materials found to exist, at the separa- 

 tion of Cupressinse into a distinct family. This is pointed out by the 

 habit, the nature and opposition of the leaves, and the structure of 

 the flowers. They are of a lower degree of organisation than true 

 Coniferee. 



Mr. Blurae's ideas of Gnetum are adopted by Dr. Lindley, and in 

 his Introduction,* part of M. Blume's description is translated, and 

 in it I find the statement, that Gnetaceae are beyond all doubt of 

 more perfect evolution than Coniferse or Cycadacese. 



This may be granted so far as the latter order is concerned, but 

 not so with the former. For we have yet to learn whether a greater 

 degree of perfection of the male flower in one way, is of more value 

 than a smaller degree of perfection of the female in another. Gnetum 

 having female flowers consisting of nothing but ovula, is minus in 

 this sense, although its male flowers being provided with a perianth, 

 cause it to be plus in that respect. 



Neither does his statement as to the immediate fertilisation of the 

 ovule, altogether hold good, that this process is aided, and probably iu 

 a primary degree by the styliform process produced from my addi- 

 tional membrane, there can be no doubt. Hence this important 

 process, is, so far as the means by which it is effected is considered, 

 intermediate between the usual mode of Phaenogamae, and the actual- 

 ly direct one of Coniferae and Cycadaceae. 



The union of Equisetacea3 with Gymnosperms by Dr. Lindley 

 appears to me a remarkable instance of inconsistency, particularly 

 when we compare it with the dismemberment of Rhizantheae. In 

 the one, we have the separation made entirely from the want of 

 division, or distinction of embryo, in the other we have a union on 

 somewhat similar, but wholly untenable grounds, the seeds of 

 Equisetaceae being altogether analogous to those of certain Cryp- 

 togaraia, with compound outer tunic. Neither will their comparison 

 among Gymnosperms, to Ceratophyllum among Exogens, and Lemna 



* Natural System, Edition 2d p. 311. 



