The genus Gesneria, as it at present stands, contains 
an assemblage of plants differing so much among each 
other, both in habit and parts of fructification, that it is 
probable a careful investigation of the species will lead to 
the establishment of more than one new genus. We are 
by no means in possession of sufficient materials to under- 
take such a task in the manner it deserves; but it may not 
be useless to offer a few remarks upon the subject, for the 
consideration of those who are more fortunately circum- 
stanced. 
If the red tubular-flowered Brazilian species be taken 
as the most legitimate representatives of the genus, which, 
perhaps, would be most convenient, although in some 
respects open to objection,—the peculiar character of Ges- 
neria would consist in a straight, tubular, half-superior 
corolla, with a gibbous base, and an early equal, erect limb, 
and in the presence of 5 unequal glands, alternating with 
the teeth of the calyx. From these, G. bulbosa will be 
found to vary in having a bilabiate corolla, with the lower 
lip minute and revolute; and G. Douglasii, in having only 
the two uppermost of the five glands present. It would 
not, perhaps, be advisable, upon such grounds, to distinguish 
these species from Gesneria; but, as sectional characters, 
the peculiarities just noticed appear to be unobjectionable. 
But besides these two deviations from the normal 
structure of Gesneria, there are some others of a much 
higher degree of importance. The most remarkable of 
these exists in the G. prasinata, figured at folio 428 of this 
work, which, along with G. tomentosa of Linnæus, may be 
distinguished by the corolla having a campanulate, inflated 
faux, and a nearly equal limb, with revolute segments ; and 
in the 5 glands of Gesneria being converted into a 5- toothed 
annular nectariferous discus. This genus may be named 
Coponopnora.* There are also some strong peculiarities 
in the Gesneria ventricosa of Swartz: in this plant the 
corolla is entirely superior; its tube is arcuate, with a very 
obliquely bilabiate limb, and is scarcely at all gibbous at 
the base ; the calycine segments are subulate and unequal, 
and the ripe fruit is strongly ribbed. For this we would 
propose the name of PENTARAPHIA.f LL 
* Sp. 1. Codonophora lanceolata. (Gesneria tomentosa L.) | 
2. Codonophora grandiflora. (Gesneria prasinata suprà.) 
+ Sp. 1. Pentaraphia longiflora. (Gesneria ventricosa Swartz.) 
