14 DB J. D. HOOKEB ON BABTEBIA. 



the inflorescence is centripetal, as in a congested corymb, an umbel, 

 or a capitulum, all of which are varieties of the contracted raceme ; 

 but when the youngest flowers are most remote from the axis, as 

 in a cyme, the flowers nearest the axis will first open, and the in- 

 florescence will be centrifugal. 

 Ambato, near Quito, May 25th, 1859. 



On Barteria, a new Genus' of Passiflorece from the Niger River. 

 By J. D. Hooked, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., L.S. &c. 



[Read June 16th, 1859.] 



Amongst the many interesting plants collected by the lamented 

 Mr. Barter during Dr. Baikie's present Niger expedition, is a very 

 singular and new form of those anomalous Passijiorece of which 

 several genera have already been found in that quarter of the 

 globe, and which I propose should bear the name of its intrepid 

 and indefatigable discoverer, whose collections far exceed in mag- 

 nitude, condition, and value those of any other explorer in those 

 regions. 



The affinity of Barteria with Smeathmannia, Br., is obvious ; but 

 it differs remarkably from that genus, and indeed from all others 

 of its order, except Crossosiemma, Planch., in the stigmas being 

 consolidated into one large very indistinctly lobed termiual capitate 

 mass, exceeding the ovary in diameter. The imperfect condition 

 of the fruit sent does not enable me to determine its exact struc- 

 ture ; but if, as appears to be the case, this is an indehiscent berry, 

 it presents another important difference between Barteria and 

 Smeathmannia. 



From Crossostemrna, also a native of West Tropical Africa, our 

 plant differs in the very numerous stamens, inserted in two series, 

 and in the nature of the corona. 



Chab. Gen. — Calycis tubus brevis, laciniis 5 lanceolatis acuminatis, 

 imbricatis. Petala 5, sepalis conformia. Corona duplex : exterior 

 erecta, membranacea, apice fimbriato-lacera ; interior brevissima, 

 incrassata, obscure crenata, os tubi calycis coronans. Stamina 

 numerosa subbiserialia ; filamentis filiformibus, basi in mem- 

 branam fundo tubi calycis insertis connatis ; antheris lineari- 

 oblongis. Ovarium fundo calycis insertum, globosum, stylo 

 valido, stigmate maximo conico-globoso basi intruso, placentis 

 3-4 parietalibus, ovulis numerosis. Fructus (bacca ?) coriacea, 



