Polygalea.] 
CHILL 
9 
genera allied to Polygalea ; but he observes that it recedes from them “ in the number and structure of 
the parts of the flower, and in the absence of a perisperm.” Mr. Brown, too, as also St. Hilaire, refers it 
to Polygalea. The flowers present peculiarities in their structure very unlike any thing we have seen 
in other plants. There are three bracteas, one on the stem at the insertion of the pedicel, the other two 
opposite, on the pedicel itself, and decussating with the lower bractea. The sepals are in a triple series ; the 
lower, or that which is in the same line with the lower bractea, together with a similar superior one, are larger 
than the others, and exteiior ; the two intermediate ones are rather smaller and alternate with the exterior 
pair ; the interior is still smaller, and is situated between the upper exterior and one of the intermediate 
ones, usually that on the right, but, in some blossoms, that on the left, as seems to be represented and 
described by St. Hilaire, under K. grandlfiora. Petals 5; 3 similar in shape to each other, of which the 
lateral ones are opposite to the upper exterior and to the interior small sepal, while the central one is inter- 
mediate between these ; 2 fleshy petals are placed opposite the two intermediate sepals. Stamens 4 and 
declinate, of which the two lower are longer and more bent, and alternate with the upper petals, and with 
these and the cai'nose ones. The ovarium has the placenta on the side next the central upper petal ; and the 
style, bending first downwards towards the lower exterior sepal, afterwards rises towards the central petal. 
Such is the structure that presents itself to us in this species, the only one we have had a sufficient oppor- 
tunity of examining. It must be remarked, however, that this view of its structure is completely at variance 
with the analysis of K. grandijlora, given by St. Hilaire, (Me'moires du Mus. v. 17. t. 31, and FI. Brasil. 
Merid. v. 2. p. 73,) for, by that able author, the insertion of the ovules or the line of the placenta is “ a petalis 
inferioribus aversum” while he declares the lower petals to be the three uniform ones. If, then, St. Hilaire 
were correct, there could be little doubt of the genus Krameria belonging to Polygalea, each anther and 
stamen with a double cell and double terminal pore being viewed as composed of two stamens, and two 
anthers, each with a single cell and pore, or tending to show that in Polygalea each pair of stamens forms 
but one; but our species presents the very different arrangement we have described, and from it we may 
state that, whether we take as our guide the subtending bractea, or the ascending style, which Brown finds 
to'be anterior in every plant, or the placenta situated on the upper interior side of the ovarium, we consider 
the three similar petals to be superior, and, consequently, that an inversion of the common arrangement in 
plants, and in the Polygalea, takes place here. The relative position of the sepals and petals to the axis of 
the spike or bractea, is thus scarcely different from what exists in the Leguminosa, where Sir J. E. Smith 
seems disposed to fix this genus. But neither is it altogether the same as in that order, for, looking at the 
sepals by themselves, the odd one, or that which has least relation to the others, is undoubtedly the small 
interior one : but with regard to the bractea, and a symmetrical disposition of the petals, stamina, and style, 
the inferior must be termed the odd one, the two intermediate ones forming one opposite pair, while the 
upper exterior, and the small interior, although placed in a very different series, must thus constitute the 
next pair. Viewing the analysis in what way we will, we are beset with difficulties, which are increased 
by observing that the two fleshy petals do not alternate with any of the sepals, but are opposite to the two 
that are intermediate, which would almost incline us to believe, with Kunth, that these are abortive stamina, 
and not petals. If Krameria belong to Polygalea, the arrangement and nature of the organs in that order 
are still involved in doubt ; and if it be one of the Leguminosa, its nearest affinity is with the genus Cassia, 
from which, however, it differs in very many important points. Perhaps some allied genus may yet be dis- 
covered, and a new groupe formed, exhibiting an additional intermediate link between these orders. We 
have not seen the ripe fruit, but St. Hilaire describes the cotyledons as auricled at the base, the auricles 
surrounding the radicle, which perhaps led De Candolle and others to believe in the presence of a fleshy 
albumen : that, however, is no objection to its forming part of Polygalea ; for in some genera truly belonging 
to this order, as Monnina and Securidaea, the albumen bas a tendency also to disappear. We may add, that 
in our idea of the position of the parts of the flower, we are borne out by Ruiz and Pavon, Jussieu and 
Kunth. The whole aiTangement will be best understood by the following reference to the figures in 
the plate. 
Tab. V. Krameria cistoidea. Fig. 1, Section of a flower-bud; a. a. a. a. a. Sepals of the calyx; b. b. 
The two inferior petals of the corolla ; c. c. c. The three superior petals ; d. d. The two lateral and 
B 
