ERICACEAE AND VACCINACED. 



383 



Vaccinacese differ in the flower, being articulate on the apex of a 

 clavate pedicel, which is itself articulated to the axis. The an- 

 thers dehisce at the apices of their horns, the Pollen, is compound, 

 but not adhesive, no fibrous tissue being developed. The angles of 

 the corolla are, in all cases, highly developed. 



Connected with the dehiscence of the anthers, is the invariable 

 cernuousness, or direction towards of the flowers, which is at its 

 minimum in Thibandia variegata. 



The outer wall of the ovarium is in all cases produced inwards, so 

 as to bi-sect the ovula. This prolongation continues to the placentse, 

 but no adhesion takes place. There is a tendency towards de- 

 finity of ovules, as indicated by their uniseriate disposition in G. 

 serrata ? 



In the species which have the segments of the calyx enlarged, this 

 organ is likewise more or less pentangular. Considerable variety 

 prevails with reference to the comparative length of the horns and 

 anthers ; but the shorter the corolla, the shorter the horns are. 

 Thus in G. serrata, they only equal the body of the anther, while in 

 T. myrtifolia they are three times as long. The longer, the horns, 

 the greater is the degree of pendulousness required, in order to al- 

 low fecundation to take place ? The tende;icy likewise to produce 

 basilar processes varies much; in T. myrtifolia they are conspicuous ; 

 while in G. serrata the bases of the locelli are nearly simple. Is 

 there any relation between the development of the two. ? 



The tendency to tesellation of the corolla is great, especially ia 

 all those with tubular flowers. 



Of the species I have met with in flower, there are the following 

 modifications in form. 



Thibaudia. Cal 5 dentatus. Cor. tubulosa. 



Gaylussacia. Cal 5 dentatus. Cor. urceolata. Stigma sub capitat. 



Agapetes. Cal. 5 partitus. Cor. tubulosa. Antheree cohserentes, 

 Stigma truncatum. 



In this last, at least in A. myrtifolia, the inflorescence is simple, 

 the solitariness of the flowers depends on the developement of the 

 lower flowers, as is pointed out by the several imbricately attached 

 bractese, visible at the base of the pedicel. 



Is there any coincidence between the nature of the openings of 

 the anthers, and their being deficient in uniting tissue. A priori 



