OF THE GENUS BYRSANTHUS. 19 
similar arrangement is described. On either side of the fertile 
stamens of Lunania are two glands, or probably the glands are 
bilobed, as in Osmelia. As my examination of the genera just 
alluded to has been but superficial (except in the case of Homa- 
lium and Casearia), I would not express myself too confidently 
as to the exact disposition of the andrecium and the glands in 
those particular genera. It suffices for my present purpose to 
show that the general tendency is to have one fertile stamen or 
a group.of such in front of each petal, alternating usually with 
glands. In some cases there is but one row of such organs; 
while in other instances there are two, and possibly even three. 
From the circumstances just alluded to, I think I am justified 
in inferring that the groups of glands and stamens in front of 
the petals of Byrsanthus are strictly homologous with the pha- 
langes of stamens in Bivinia &c. ; and I would further propose 
the following interpretation of the morphology of the andreecium 
in the genus under consideration. 
The outer row of the androecium consists of ten stamens— 
five opposite to the sepals, and existing in the form of glands, 
and five compound stamens opposite to the petals, and consisting 
of a central barren portion or gland, and two fertile filaments, one 
on each side of the gland. The inner row of the andreecium con- 
sists likewise of ten stamens—five represented by glands placed 
in front of the sepals, five by fertile stamens superposed to the 
petals. . 
An examination of the course of development can alone de- 
monstrate whether or not this interpretation is correct; in the 
mean time I may state that my inference is based on the exami- 
nation both of mature flowers and of young unopened buds. 
Before passing from the consideration of the andreecium of 
Byrsanthus, it may be well to allude to the estivation of the 
stamens, as that is a point on which some stress has been 
laid of late by Clos and others. The filaments of Byrsanthus 
epigynus are slender, widely spreading, and straight in the ex- 
panded flower, but incurved and even spirally twisted in the 
bud. The anthers are small, subglobose, didymous, 2-celled, 
bursting outwardly by two longitudinal chinks, and surmounted 
by a short thickened process continuous with the connective. 
With reference to the position of the ovary of Byrsanthus, 
the difference in the case of the two species herein mentioned 
would be sufficient, in many cases, for the establishment not 
c2 
