1840.] 



as a distinct Natural Order from Myrtacece, 



"255 



The result of this examination has led me to the conviction, not 

 oiily that Granateae is a distinct order, but that the pomegranate, if my 

 views are correct, is, so far as our information yet extends, the most 

 remarkable fruit in the system of plants. But, without further preface, 

 I shall at once proceed with the subject, introducing it by presenting a 

 series of extracts from the leading disputants on either side. The 

 whole controversy turns on a simple question, of fact, namely, what is 

 the structure of the ovary and fruit of Punica ? To these points^ 

 therefore 1 shall, to save room, limit my extracts. The first of these, 

 taking them in chronological order, is from Mr. D. Don's paper, Edin. 

 WewPhilosop. Journal, for July 1826. The second is, from DeCan- 

 doUe's 1 rod. 3. p. 3. The third is from Dr. Lindlc-y's Natural System 

 of Botan}', ed. 1st, page 64, and repeated in the second edition. The 

 last is from Mr. Arnott's article Botanv, Encycl. Brit. ed. 7, page 110, 

 under Myrtacese. These extracts, by placing the question before the 

 reader in ail its bearings, will enable him at once to judge, how far I 

 have succeeded in setting ihe question at rest. 



" Bacea pomiformis, limbo tubulosa dentato calycino, nunc contracto, 

 coronata: cortex crassissimus, extias cuticul^ laevirubicunda punctata luci- 

 da vestitus, intus spongioso-carnosus, albus, dein, matura bacca, fissura 

 irregulariter rumpens. Placenta cortici baccae substantia simillima, at 

 magis carnosa et succulenta-baccam cmnino replens, in 1 oculis numerosis 

 polyspermis inaequalibus reticulatim atque interrupte excavata. Dis- 

 sepimenta vera nulla : spuria tamen adsunt, quae e substantia placentas 

 orta, valde sunt fragilia, et crassitie varia. Don (1 c.) 



" The real structuie of the fruit of the pomegranate appears to have 

 been overlooked by all authors, I have consulted on the subject, 

 and even the distinguished Gsertner has fallen into error both in his 

 description and figure. It is in reality a fleshy receptacle, formed by 

 the tube of the calyx into a unilocular berry, filled with a spongy placen- 

 ta, which is hollowed out into a number of irregular cells, in which the 

 seeds are placed ; the dissepiments being nothing more than thin por- 

 tions of the placenta. If we could conceive the fruit of Rosa to be filled 

 up with an interrupted pulpy mntter, it would be exactly of the same 

 structure as the pomegranate." Don (I.e.) 



" Fructus raagnus, sphsericus, calycis limbo subtubulosa coronatus, 

 ejusdem tubo corticatus, indehiscens, diaphragmate horizontali insequa- 

 liter bicameratus ; camera superiore 5-9-loculari, camera inferiore 

 minore 3-loculari, septis utriusque membranaccis lorulos separan- 

 tibus ; placentae cameree superioris carnosic a parietibus ad centrum 



