H Observatiofis on the Flora of Coartallum. [April 



tion, then, between the calyx and ovarium, but attached to 

 neither, is the distinguishing character of this class. His 

 second class f Calyciflorce J, is equally independent of num- 

 bers, as well as of the presence or absence of both stamens 

 and pistils in each flower, but is distinguished by having the 

 petals (whether united or distinct) and stamens inserted into 

 the calyx (perigynous). The third class ( Corolllfiorce ) has 

 the petals united, inserted below the ovary (hypogynous,) 

 and bearing the stamens ; and the fourth class (Monochla- 

 midew) has a simple perianth, that is a calyx without a 

 corolla, or a single, in place of double, series of parts covering 

 the re-productive organs. 



This short explanation of this celebrated system, is in- 

 troduced to prevent the necessity of after repetitions. The 

 orders, now to be considered, all belong to the first class, or 

 that with distinct hypogynous petals. 



I. Ranunculacece. 



I have already spoken of this Order as being almost exclu- 

 sively extra-tropical, and but for its importance might have 

 been passed over, as I have as yet only found one species 

 here, JYaravelia Zeylanica, one of the few truly tropical 

 representatives of this family. All the herbaceous members^ 

 when found within the torid zone, are observed to occupy 

 the highest hills, where great elevation compensates for a 

 low latitude. This is strikingly the case with Anemone, 

 Ranunculus, Thalictrum, and some others. The shrubby 

 genera such as Clematis and JYaravelia, are more truly tropi- 

 cal, hence we find species of them on the plains of India, 

 Ceylon, the Eastern Islands, west coast of Africa, New Hol- 

 land and equinoctial America. We may thence generally 

 assume, from the presence of the herbaceous forms within 

 the tropics, that the hills have attained an elevation sufficient 

 to raise thern above the limits of the fever zone. Their ab- 

 sence on the Shevaroy hills, were we otherwise unacquainted 

 with the fact, might be received as an indication that they 

 had not attained that elevation. 



This Order is readily distinguished from all the others of 

 the class, by having a number of distinct, or only slightly 

 adhering, seed vessels (carpels) and sheathing leaves. 



