372 
in which the triangle ABB represent the outer series, or paleae, or calyx, A 
being the inferior valve, and B B tiie superior, formed of two sepals united 
by their contiguous margin at x. If the triangle C D D be understood to re- 
present the next series, the position of the parts will be at the three angles ; and 
in reality the two scales that are usually developed do occupy the places D D ; 
while the third, whenever it is superadded, is stationed at C. The triangle 
E E F indicates by its angles the normal position of the first series of stamens, 
which are actually so situated, the stamen F which is opposite the sepal A al- 
ternating with the rudimentary petals D D. 
The principal objection to this is, that the parts of the supposed calyx or 
paleae are not inserted upon the same plane, or truly verticillate, and conse- 
quently do not answer exactly to what is required in a floral envelope ; and it 
is on this account that Turpin rejects Brown’s opinion, giving the paleae 
the name of spathelle, and considering them bracts of a second order. 
But after all, this is a question of words rather than of facts ; for what 
are sepals but bracts of a second order ? and what difficulty is there in 
identifying bracts having the near approach to a verticiUate state, and the 
perfect symmetry of position that those of Grasses possess, with a kind of dis- 
located calyx } 
Kunth entertains a somewhat different view of the nature of the floral en- 
velopes, considering the hypogynous scales to be analogous to the ligula, 
and the normal state of Grasses to be hexandrous. See Enumeratio, vol. 1. 
p. 3. 4. 
Raspail, in a memoir upon the structure of Gramineae, hazards a theory, 
that the midrib of the bracts of Grasses is an axis of developement in cohe- 
sion with the bracts, and that when it separates, as in Phleum, Bromus, or 
Corynephorus, it is attempting to revert to the functions of ulterior develope- 
ment, for which it is more especially destined. Among other things he states 
{Ann. des Sc. 4. 276. E.) that he should not be surprised one day to find some 
Grass in which the midrib of the lower palea actually became a new axis bear- 
ing other florets. I mention this for the sake of remarking that such a case 
is known, without however admitting that it is any confirmation of Rapsail’s 
views, which are at variance v/ith the laws of vegetable developement, for 
reasons which are so obvious, as to render it altogether unnecessary to give them 
here. I have a monstrous Barley, the Hordeum -^giceras of Royle, cultivated 
as WTieat in the Himalayeh mountains, specimens of which I communicated in 
1 830 to Kunth and others, in which the midrib of the lower palea actually 
becomes saccate towards the apex, hearing an imperfect floret, with stamens, 
ovary, and hypogynous scales, in its cavity. What we know of the tendency to a 
special developement of buds in the margins of certain leaves, in Ferns, and 
according to the observations of Turpin, in the whole substance of certain mono- 
cotyledonous leaves, there is nothing in this fact to excite surprise or to 
give rise to new theories ; but it is worth mentioning as the only instance 
upon record of a flower-bud with sexual apparatus being developed under such 
circumstances. 
The embryo is here described in conformity with the views that are most 
commonly taken of its nature ; that is to say, it is considered to consist of a 
dilated lenticular cotyledon applied to the albumen on one side, and bearing 
a naked plumule on the other side, next the testa. It is proper, however, to 
remark, that the opinion of the late L. C. Richard, that the part commonly 
called cotyledon is a peculiar process, and that the plumule is a body con- 
tained within the apparent plumule, has been lately adopted by Nees v. Esen- 
beck, in his Agrostologia Brasiliensis , but with some difierence. Richard con- 
sidered the cotyledon to be a part of the radicle, to which he gave the name 
of macropodal, in consequence of its great supposed enlargement in Grasses 
