CL. XI.] 16. ASARUM EUROPiEUM. 



379 



lying at one end. During germination two cotyledons are 

 unfolded, but continue under the earth. 



Diagnosis and Affinity, 



The other species grow in North America, and are distin- 

 quished by the following circumstances. — As. Canadense has 

 more cordate, pointed, and hairy leaves, and the lobes of the 

 calyx are open and reflex. As, Virginicum has cordate, 

 rounded, even, white spotted, coriaceous leaves, and an al- 

 most stalkless even flower. As, arifolium Mich., has leaves 

 that are almost spontoon-shaped, coriaceous, white spotted, 

 and a tubular calyx, with a very short margin. 



The affinity of this genus with Aristolochia is striking in 

 its numerical proportions, in the general shape of the leaves, 

 and in the structure of the seed. The colour of the flowers, 

 and even the composition of the juices, in the case of most of 

 the Aristolochise, agree with the corresponding qualities of 

 this plant. But we must not push this idea of affinity so far, 

 as, with Pursh, to place Asarum in the class Gynandria; be- 

 cause in Asarum the filaments stand on the germen, and con- 

 sequently the antherae are not united with the female parts, 

 •as must be the case in Gynandria. But between Aristolochia 

 and Asarum, although more nearly related to the former, stands 

 the Rhopiiim Schreb. or Mehorea Aubl., because in this plant 

 each of the three pistilla carries two double antherae below 

 the stigma. Tacca is more distantly related to them. These 

 genera constitute together the family of the Aristolochia?, 

 which stands between the higher and lower forms, and are 

 conterminous with the Polygoneas, (Anleit. ii. 301.) 



Synonymes and Figures. 



Asarum, Braunscliw. f. 68. a. Brunf. 1. 71. Fuchs, 10. 

 Dodon. 358. Matth. 36. Tabern. 1129. Dalech. 914. 

 Ger. Emac. 836. /. Bauli. Hist. 3. 548. Park. Theatr. 

 266. 



Nardus agrestis, Frag. f. 24. b. 



Asarum baccharis, Lob. Hist. 328. ic. 601. 



Asarum vulgare, Moris, sect. 13. t. 7. 



