240 NoiiIl Aiacncan Cijperaccct, 
Agardh, in his Apliorismi Botanici, (1S23) gave a good descrip- 
tion of the characicrs of the family, together with a hst of the 
genera, and the ntnnber of species belonging to each genus. 
Lindley, in his Introduction to the Natural System of Botany, 
(1S30) has given, in a clear but succinct manner, the charac- 
ters, affinities, geography and properties of the Cyperacese. He 
states, in a note, that Mr. Prescott of St. Petersburgh has long 
been making these plants an especial study, but the botanical 
world has not yet been favored with the results of his labours* 
The batanist who has lately directed his attention to the Cype- 
racese with the greatest success is Professor Nees ab Esenbeck of 
Breslau. This accomplished and indefatigable cultivator of 
our science, prepared about the same time two valuable me- 
moirs on the Cyperaceag, one of which, inserted in the ninth 
volume of the Linnsea, (for. 1834) is entitled Uebersicht der Cy- 
peraceengattungen : the other under the thle of Cyperaceae 
Indicge, forms a large part of Dr. Wight's " Contributions to the 
Botany of India," which appeared in the same year. Tlie former, 
besides a synopsis of all the genera of the order, and a list of 
the species examined by the author, contains some profound 
observations on the structure of the floral organs. He consi- 
ders the hypogynous bristles, hairs, squamulae, and petaloid 
bodies which occur in most of these jalants, as metamorphosed 
stamens, and not divisions of a perianth.* Respecting the po- 
sition of the embryo he gives no opinion. He announces 
his intention to publish at some future day a full monograph 
of this immense faiuily. 
The Cyperaceae of North America have been studied 
with considerable care by many botanists. In the time of 
Linnaeus very little was known concerning even the European 
species; and in his last edition of the Species plantarum (1764) 
♦ Linnaea 8, p. 277 et seq. But in his Cyp. Ind. (p. 93.) he seems to take 
another view of these organs. ^^Fuirence Vaginaria flos e tribus verticillis constat; 
scil. Imo, Calyce trisepalo, sepalis setaceis. 2do, Corolla tripetala, petalis un- 
guiculatis cum sepalis altcrnis. 3//o, Staminibus tribus sepalis oppositis angulisque 
ovarii respondentibu^^. Igitur, Aio, Carpclli;; tribus pclalis oppositis planis val- 
vatim conaatis," &c. 
