102 



DESCRIPTION OF SEDGWICKIA, 



tissue, and which are most abundant in Sedgwickia. These punctuations, 

 at least those of Sedgwickia, are much smaller than those of Coniferee, 

 neither has the central areola that lucid appearance, which those of the 

 latter have. In both genera they would appear to be arranged in single 

 rows. But upon this subject I must abstain from making further remarks 

 as I have no lenses with me on which I can confidently rely. 



4. Bucklandia is remarkable for its curious ramification. 1 have 

 invariably found that of the new branches, that which is opposite the 

 terminal mature leaf is much more developed than any of the others, and 

 this would appear rarely to produce flower-bunds. These being generally 

 confined to the shorter branches. 



5. This genus likewise departs from the usual character of the order 

 in the quinary division of the hermaphrodite flowers ; although the female 

 flowers would still appear to be arranged in the usual quaternary one. The 

 fact of the frequent and often incomplete transformation of the petals into 

 stamina would appear to corroborate the opinion of M. De Candolle, that 

 Fothergilla is apetalous from a similar but total and complete transformation. 

 This idea will be much strengthened if some of the stamina of Fothergilla 

 are solitary, while others are arranged in a double row. 



6. The same genus is remarkable for the similarity that exists between 

 the form of the lowermost ovula, and the same when developed into perfect 

 Seeds. I believe that the fact of the exsertion of the apex of the second 

 membrane in the ripe seed has hitherto been unnoticed. 



7. In conclusion I must observe, that the character of Hamamelideae, 

 as originally given by Mr. Brown in the appendix to Abel's China, will now 

 require to be modified as regards the completion and composition of the 

 flower, the number and situation of the stamina, the dehiscence of the 

 anthers and number of the ovula. But it is a remarkable fact, that although 

 the ovula are increased in number in Bucklandia and even indefinite in 

 Sedgwickia, the perfect seeds are in both definite. 



