386 



ON THE VALUE OF CHARACTERS. 



The anthers of this species are so minute that I am not satisfied 

 as to their structure. They are formed on the ordinary plan, and 

 perhaps evince a tendency towards its resumption : The posterior face 

 is normal, the only difference appears to be that the locelli are sub 

 divided. See No 893, p. 175. 



Magnolia. 



The similarity between the scales of the floral, and the leaf buds 

 would lead us to suppose that the nature of the two envelopes wa3 

 the same. Neither is there any reason assignable for the assumption 

 that the scales are opposite, and both combined. On the contrary 

 the two lines supposed to indicate cohesion, may, and no duubt do 

 arise from the nervure of the leaf, and the coalition of its margins. 

 Moreover, this view is borne out by the spathaceous fissure, it 

 being much more natural to suppose that separation would take 

 place along the margin of coalescence, than that one margin would 

 separate, and the other continue to adhere. Besides, these convolute 

 stipules are generally found in alternate leaved plants, so that their 

 being double organs by opposition, is against analogy. It is this 

 that makes Bucklandia remarkable, the fact of opposite bud-scales 

 with alternate leaves extends all through Cupuliferas, 



Ochreae too, are nothing but dilatations of the petiole, there is 

 nothing to indicate their composition. Besides, the fact of their 

 existence in Costus is a strong proof that they are not stipules, 

 these organs being unknown (?) among Monocotyledones. This 

 fact alone, would make us doubt the special nature of stipulae. For if 

 they are special organs, why should they be so rare in the subtypical 

 division of the Vegetable Kingdom ? 



Gemmation has not been sufficiently studied, comparisons should 

 be made between those plants which have no buds, so to say, and 

 Monocotyledones, in which they seem not to be required. It is 

 curious that in Camellia the species with leaves of the ordinary con- 

 sistence, have the buds but slightly protected, whereas, the species 

 with coriaceous leaves, have them nearly at their maximum develope- 

 ment. The large flowered Magnolia. (No. 755, p. 152,) differs from the 

 odorous one in the carpella being coalescent, or at any rate united, 

 while in the latter, they are all distinct. A space too, likewise exists 

 between the lower carpella and the upper stamina. 



The pollen of both has in the dry state, a very distinct longitudi- 



