CONTRIBUTIOXS TO BOTANY. 
37 
The epigynous gland, so highly developed in Schopfia, Arjoona, 
Cathedra, and other genera of the Olacacece, is an equally con- 
stant feature of the Santalacece, where in Exocarpus aphyllus it 
is largely and prominently seen in the form of a 4-lobed cushion, 
broader than the summit of the ovarium, which is almost entirely 
superior ■, this is quite independent of its hypogynous disk, which 
is also present as usual in the family. This organ, whose exist- 
ence I first pointed out in Hyoscyamus, I have since found to 
occur frequently upon the summit of a superior ovarium. 
This inquiry into the affinities of the Olacacece has led to 
another conclusion of some interest. In my memoir upon 
Cathedra [huj. op.p. 10), while describing its curious anthers, I 
pointed out a very analogous structui’e in Choretrum and other 
genera, mentioning at the same time a similar formation of the 
anthers in Myzodendron, so beautifully illustrated in the ‘ Flora 
Antarctica ’ by Dr. Hooker, who has there also given the analysis 
of its ovarium and fruit, proving by indisputable evidence its 
relation to the Santalacece and Olacacece. I will now endeavour 
to show, that neither this genus, nor Viscum, bear any relation 
to the Loranthacece, where they have been placed by almost every 
botanist. The genus Viscum has been a frequent subject of in- 
vestigation by many eminent physiological botanists, and Richard 
first described the very remarkable structure of the anthers of 
Viscum album, of which we fimd no parallel formation : these are 
well represented (Ann. Mus. tom. xii. tab. 27) as being com- 
posed of very numerous ceils, each containing distinct aggrega- 
tions of pollen-grains, and which burst open and discharge their 
contents by the rupture and contraction of the vesicular tissue 
that covers their surface ; in this respect it bears no resemblance 
to the structure of the anthers of Myzodendron. On the other 
hand, u])on examining the anthers of the Brazilian species of 
Viscum, I find their structure quite opposed to that described in 
V. album, and somewhat analogous to those of Myzodendron; 
they are 2-lobed and subcordate, approaching much the form of 
those of Cathedra ; they are quite distinct and free from the lobes 
of the perianthium, are nearly sessile, and consist of two parallel 
cells, enclosed in thick crystalline walls, as described in that ge- 
nus, and appear to discharge their fertilizing power in the same 
ambiguous manner by two covered pores in the apex : the pollen 
is globular, quite smooth, vesicular, bursting irregularly, and so 
thin is their texture, that the sporular granules can easily be 
distinguished in them by transmitted light. All such species 
will therefore constitute a group generically distinct from Vis- 
cum, to which the name of Allobium may be given, from dXKos, 
alius, l3i6o), vivo, in allusion to their deriving their support and 
nourishment from other trees. As far as my observation extends. 
