ii PREFACE. 



Acanthacea? in part, among the latter. But as those Tables were the first attempt that has been made at the formation of a series of observations of this kind, it is hoped 

 that the few errata contained in them, (two of which were very slight, and one from a mistake in a name,) will give an increased confidence in the present work. Not only has 

 every doubtful point been re-examined, but he has not in any instance, except the Balanophoraceae, depended on the observations of any botanist as regards the position of 

 either the carpel or the raphe, although those few that have been made, were made by observers in whom, and deservedly, the fullest confidence is placed. It deserves 

 notice, however, that there are some cases in which it requires much care, good specimens and repeated examinations, to obtain conclusive evidence as to the position of the 

 raphe ; and that the difference between the lateral and dorsal positions on the one hand and the lateral and ventral positions on the other, is not unfrequently so minute that 

 accurate observers will, he expects, differ more or less as regards the raphe lateral. In referring to the raphe in any given family as being lateral, he does not wish to be 

 understood as being in opposition to those who describe it as dorsal or ventral, unless the genus is mentioned, but only to say that as far as his observations go it is lateral. 

 He has very recently for the first time seen the very accurate and valuable work, ' Theoria Systematis Plantarum,' of Prof. J. G. Agardh, whose observations will be found for 

 the most part to agree with his own, and it is not in any instance, until after very careful examination, that he differs from so good an observer. The differences are mostly 

 of a minor character, the lateral raphe, as it appears to him, being by Prof. Agardh sometimes described as dorsal or obliquely so, or ventral or obliquely so. In Prof. Agardh's 

 descriptions of single erect and pendulous ovules, he admits only the existence of raphe ventral and dorsal, and the various instances of lateral raphe are consequently referred 

 to one or other of 'these two positions, or are stated to be obliquely dorsal or obliquely ventral, from the form or mechanical pressure of the ovary; and as the instances of 

 lateral raphe in these positions of the ovule are numerous, the present work will be found to contain many additions as regards this particular character. And if, as he feels 

 well assured, the raphe lateral in erect and pendulous ovules is its only normal position in these cases, never being produced by pressure or the form of the ovary, and entirely 

 distinct both from the ventral and dorsal raphe, these additions will be of some value. Prof. Agardh, in his observations on Erythroxyleae, p. 296, refers to the Tables, Ann. 

 Nat. Hist. 2nd Ser. vol. XL* 



To the late Sir William Hooker he owes a debt of gratitude for the most liberal assistance given him, having throughout the enquiry in which he has been engaged 

 for upwards of twelve years, supplied him with rare desiderata, and the variety of specimens contained in the Kew Herbarium, and to Dr. Hooker for nearly the same term ; 

 and to his numerous botanical friends and correspondents, for the communication of valuable suggestions and observations, especially to the Rev. W. W. Newbould, 

 Dr. Seemann, Mr. Bennett, V.P.L.S., Mr. Kippist, Libr. L.S., Mr. Miers, and Mr. J. Smith, the first Curator of Kew Gardens of that name ; and he has also to acknowledge 

 that the Royal Society, from the fund for the promotion of science, placed annually by Parliament at the disposal of the President and Council, made a grant of £10., 

 " accorded in furtherance of the publication of his faithful and valuable observations, On the Relative Position of the Ovule, and its parts to the Axis of the Flower" ; and that the 

 Gardens of the Apothecaries' Society, at Chelsea, have supplied him with many living specimens not elsewhere procurable. 



* He also refers especially, p. 50 and 308, to the Papers on Hydropeltideas (Ann. Nat. Hist. 2nd Ser. vol. XII., p. 12), and AJangiacese (Kew Jour. Bot. vol. V. ,p. 129). 



2, Mount Vernon, Hampstead, 

 January, 1866. 



