has a somewhat different outline, nor do we think the 
neck of it can be well considered shorter than the calyx. 
In the singular structure of its capsule, it agrees perfectly 
with S. adnatum. In the latter respect, the genus Stylidium 
offers some important deviations from the ordinary struc- 
ture of Capsules, and exhibits those differences in such 
perfect gradation, as to make it impossible to doubt the 
real nature of the fruit of this and other incompletely 
formed species. The common structure of the capsule 
of Stylidium is bilocular, with a septum horizontal with 
respect to the axis of inflorescence, and bearing on each of 
its surfaces a polyspermous placenta. But in S, fol'iatum 
the upper cell becomes contracted in its size, so as to 
be much narrower than the lower cell, the placenta re- 
maining perfect ; and in the species before us, the contrac- 
tion of the upper cell is carried still farther, and is accom- 
panied by the complete obliteration of the placenta belong- 
ing to it, the whole dimensions of the cell not exceeding 
that of a fine tube. This fact, Mr. Brown has remarked 
to us, explains the real nature of the capsule of the uenus 
Lysipoma of Kunth, in which the placenta is described as 
parietal ; while, in fact, it is only apparently so, in con- 
sequence of a similar obliteration of one cell and pla- 
centa, the whole cavity of the capsule being occupied 
by the complete cell, the placenta of which is therefore 
necessarily pushed to one side, and assumes the appear- 
ance of being parietal, as in the S. adnatum now before us. 
SterAs simple, low, not more tlian 5 or 6 inches high, 
furrowed, smooth, leafy. Leaves linear-spatulate, spread- 
ing, smooth, minutely papillose if examined with a micro- 
scope, scattered upon the stem, but at the top of the 
stem whorled, and packed closely together. Spike terminal, 
many-flowered, clustered. Flowers bracteate, sometimes 
sessile, sometimes 2 or 4 together on a short stalk. Cap- 
sules, when not solitary, cohering at their base with those 
next them, spreading, linear-lanceolate, with a contracted 
.neck, 3-cornered, 2-celled; the dorsal cell very small, 
empty, the ventral one many-seeded. Seeds minute, ob- 
long, chesnut-coloured, smooth, unequally furrowed, with 
a thin testa. 
J. L. 
