MB. 0. B. CLABKE ON INDIAN SPECIES OP CYPEB1T8. 27 



they are the outcome of three scales, which in the younger state 

 of the pistil are connate with and absorbed into it, but which 

 betray the true secret of their origin. This is a theory that 

 cannot be maintained without far more evidence : the position 

 of the three squarnse opposite the stamens does suit their being 

 considered homologous with the squamae in some other Cype- 

 racese. But in the dehiscence of fruit in general, how is it pos- 

 sible to argue back from a circumscissile pyxis (as in Hyoscya- 

 mus), and to say that the line of dehiscence shows the true 

 base of the ovary ? 



The style is continuous with the ovary in this species, and 

 persistent on the ripe nut. The style-base is at first terete, but 

 finally unequally 3-winged, strongly serrulate on the margins of 

 the wings. These wings can often be traced under the micro- 

 scope nearly to the summit of the style. I have attempted to 

 draw, in fig. 3, a very common appearance the wing exhibits 

 (especially in dry specimens) as if it were a narrow bract clinging 

 to the style. Boeckeler rightly states the wings " connate ; " they 

 are altogether inseparable, and I see not the slightest ground for 

 regarding these wings as the upper portions of the perigynial 

 scales connate with the style ; they much more recall the style- 

 base of some species of Fimbristylis. 



I think Bentham is perfectly right in replacing this species 

 in Cyperus. On the other hand, I place in a subgenus distinct 

 from Juncellus, &c, a plant admitted by Arnott, G-rilfith, Kurz, 

 and F. Mueller as worthy of generic separation. Its differences 

 from other Oyperi are considerable : we have first the remark- 

 able " pedicel " of the nut, secondly the persistent style, thirdly 

 sub-undivided stigma. The firm conical base of the style, so 

 prominent even in the young stage of the ovary, is another (or 

 part of the second) character. By these characters the subgenus 

 Anosporum is separated from Juncellus as from all other subdi- 

 visions of Cyperus. 



I have treated of Anosporum here as though of one species, 

 Cyperus cepkalotes, Vahl. Of the other species placed in Ano- 

 sporum by Boeckeler, I have only one here, viz. Cyperus platystylis, 

 R. Br., = Anosporum pallidum, Boeck.,= Cyperus pallidus, Heyne, 

 — C. caducus, Steud. The nut of this is shown from the inside 

 in fig. 7, from the back in fig. 8, and in horizontal section in 

 fig. 9. The cells are drawn very much too large in proportion to 

 the scale of the nut, and the horizontal section is more magnified. 



