136 
Mr. Brown’s Observations on the 
My conjectures, therefore, on their structure and relation to Aci- 
carpha spathulata of the preceding paper, are completely verified 
by this examination, as well as by the observations of M. Cassini, 
who with his usual acuteness has detected the principal charac¬ 
ters distinguishing Boopidece from Composite and Dipsaceae, be¬ 
tween which he has also placed them. 
As M. Cassini’s Memoir, though read subsequently to mine, is 
already published, the name Calycerece, which I have proposed 
for this family, is superseded by that which he has given it. 
But as his account of the order is by no means complete, seve¬ 
ral characters of considerable, though not primary, importance 
being entirely omitted, I may be allowed to add to my paper 
some remarks on the more essential points of resemblance and 
difference between it and the two families to which it is most 
nearly related. 
The principal characters distinguishing Boopidece from the 
whole of Compositce are the pendulous ovulum and the albumen 
inclosing the embryo, of which the radicle points to the apex of 
the pericarpium. It appears to me necessary to state all these 
characters, and nearly in the terms in which they are here given : 
for, 1st, A pendulous ovulum most frequently, indeed, is not, 
however, invariably connected with radicula supera, though that 
direction of radicle might here, as well as in Composite, with con¬ 
fidence have been inferred from the vascular structure of the ovu¬ 
lum*. 2dly, Where the insertion of the ovulum is, as in this fa¬ 
mily, evidently below the upper extremity, the radicle which 
* Some of the indications in many cases afforded by the structure of the unimpregnated 
ovulum, of the position and direction of the parts of the future embryo, have hitherto been 
overlooked : the subject, however, for its elucidation requires details incompatible with the 
limits of the present communication. I have in another place (Flinders’s Voyage to Terra 
Australis, ii. p. 601.) thrown out a similar hint, which has probably attracted no attention, 
and must reserve the explanation of both for a separate essay. 
points 
