’ 
are smaller than the two others. Upon opening this pistillum we find that 
there are two parietal placente corresponding with the smaller stigmata, and 
that there are no placente opposite the larger stigmata; in other words, 
that it is formed of four simple pistilla, two of which are opposite and ovuli- 
ferous, with their placente in the usual place, alternating with themselves; 
and two nearly abortive, destitute of placente, consequently not ovuliferous, 
and so nearly suppressed by the superior energy of their two neighbours, 
that their existence would have been unknown but for the stigmata which 
indicate their presence. This is one way of understanding Eschscholtzia ; but 
as the ovula are not inserted in the placente in'a double row, but rather 
confusedly arranged in several rows, it may also be assumed that the 
lateral, imperfect, half-obliterated stigmata have a line of placenta, with 
ovula appertaining to themselyes, but so confounded with the placente of 
their lateral and more powerful neighbours, that, in consequence of their 
close approximation, they cannot be distinguished. We, however, incline 
to the former of these two opinions. Let this be as it may, upon either 
supposition, the structure of Cruciferous pistilla is, we think, susceptible of 
explanation. We shall, for convenience, reason upon the former of the two 
hypotheses. 
If we compare the fruit of Eschscholtzia and Cruciferee, we shall at first, 
perhaps, be led to believe that while they have a certain degree of resemblance 
in some points, they nevertheless differ widely in others of more importance; 
we find both of them with two opposite parietal placente, connected with a 
quaternary arrangement of the other parts of the flower, and that in both 
instances their placentee are opposite to stigmata. But we also see that in 
Cruciferee dehiscence takes place by the separation of two valves from the 
sides of the siliqua, leaving the placentee undivided ; while in Eschscholtzia it 
takes place through each placenta, half of which, therefore, adheres to each 
edge of the two valves into which the fruit finally separates. But if we 
look into their structure a little more narrowly, we shall perhaps find that 
these differences are not only capable of reconciliation, but that they explain 
each other. 
The fruit of Cruciferee is separable into four parts — that is to say, 
into two valves without stigmata, and two double placente without valves ; 
in Eschscholtzia there are two valves with placente and stigmata, and two 
stigmata without valves or placentee. But suppose that the two valves of 
Cruciferee had stigmata, as they should have (and a tendency to produce 
which actually exists in Iberis umbellata), and that the two stigmata of 
Eschscholtzia had yalyes, as would be regular, what would then be the dif- 
ference between the two? it would be reduced to nearly this, that in Esch- 
scholtzia the two placentiferous pieces would occupy the greater part of the 
pericarpium, the two sterile valves being very small; while in Crucifere 
the two placentiferous pieces would be yery small, the chief part of the 
pericarpium being occupied by the sterile valves. To make this more 
apparent, let the following figures represent an imaginary section of the 
fruit of both Cruciferee and Eschscholtzia: — : 
