382 



ON THE VALUE OF CHARACTERS. 



that which occurs in Thibaudla, I allude to the prolongation out- 

 wards of each placenta, until it comes nearly into contact with the 

 outer wall of each cell. The ovula have no distinct integument. 



The stigma of R. arboreum minus, foliis subtus argenteis, is pecu- 

 liar, the style is dilated at its extremity, and this dilated portion is 

 occupied by as many angular lobes or stigmata, as there are carpel- 

 pellary leaves ; and what is more, they are continuous directly with 

 these. This is an additional proof, if one were wanting, that the 

 stigma is in all cases a continuation of the placenta, and that conse- 

 quently, it is always a double organ. Being a continuation of the 

 placentJE, it follows that each stigma is opposite to its placenta,, of 

 this fact indeed I have long been aware. 



Rhododendron. Ic. tom. 11 fig. 1*. 



Arboreum, foliis obovatis coriaceis supra lucidis, subtus albus, sub 

 argenteis, venis tertiariis oblique transversis ; bracteis ferrugineo his- 

 pidis, extimis glabrioribus viscosis, lateralibus angustissimis Pedicel- 

 lis in axi articulatis, Floribus sub duplicatis, S partitis, laciuiis rotun- 

 dato obcordatis repandis. Staminibus IG. Ovario IG loculare, pla- 

 centis bilamellatis. 



There is a tendency in one species of Gaultheria, towards adhesion 

 of the calyx with the ovary, in other w^ords, towards to having an 

 inferior fruit : It is distinct enough, although we still take into ac- 

 count the liability to dilatation of the peduncle, which is so con- 

 spicuous in Thibundia, and Gaylussacia. This species possesses 

 a peculiar fragrance, which is lodged in brownish glands, these are 

 abundant on the lower surface of the leaves. In it, the lateral brac- 

 teae are approached towards the base of the Corolla. The inflores- 

 cence is altogether \ centripetal, the lower portion of the raceme 

 flowering first. On what does this difference depend ? for in Rho- 

 dodendron it is entirely centrifugal. The terminal flowers of both 

 general, and partial inflorescence, opening first. In this genus the 

 aestivation (Fig. 42) is exactly that of Rhododendron, and the Pollen 

 is similarly compound. The walls of the anthers are membranaceous : 

 the pore by which they dehice is obviously due to cohesion of the 

 lower portion of the longitudinal furrow. The horns of the An- 

 thers are obviously continuations upwards of the locelli of each 

 anther. The composition of the pollen is due to the non-separa- 

 tion of the grains after their formation. 



• To be hereafter given in its proper place Icones Plautarura Asiat. 



