Basananthe.| LXIII, PASSIFLOREEH (MASTERS). 509 
erect, linear-oblong, sagittate, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Gyno- 
phore very short, distinct from the filaments, Ovary l-celled with three 
parietal placentas, each of which bears about its centre a single ascend- 
ing or suspended anatropal ovule; funicle geniculate; styles terminal, 
distinct nearly to the base or more or less consolidated ; stigmas capi- 
tate. Capsule ellipsoid, 1-celled, 3-valved ; valves membranous, bear- 
ing a nerve-like placenta in the centre. Seeds 3, or fewer by abor- 
tion, oval compressed, enclosed within a pulpy aril; testa crustaceous, 
pitted; albumen fleshy. Cotyledons flat, thick.—Herbaceous peren- 
nials with woody stocks. Leaves alternate, petiolate, stipulate, simple. 
Peduncles axillary, branched, 1 branch sterile, the other bearing a soli- 
tary bell-shaped Hower. Bracts 3, linear-subulate, at some little dis- 
tance from the flower. 
A curious genus, consisting so far as at present known, of two species only, and 
Probably not distinct as a genus from Tryphostemma. ; fg a 
The corona has been otherwise described by Drs. Hooker and Peyritsch ; but it is 
believed that the account here given is more accurate. It is, however, difficult to make 
out the real arrangement from dried specimens. 
Leaves roundish. Peduncles reflexed ©.”..6:.. ik ee ele pee nummularia. 
eaves oblong-lanceolate. Peduncles straight . .... . 2 B. littoralis. 
1. B. nummularia, Welr. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxvii. 28, t. ix. An 
herbaceous perennial with a thick woody erect stock giving off at the 
top numerous slender spreading or erect branched divisions, 5-8 in. 
ong. Branches slender, angular, greyish, smooth or sulcate-striate. 
eaves about an inch long, conduplicate, reflexed, membranous, gla- 
rous, roundish, cordate, obtuse or divided into two shallow rounded 
obes with an intermediate mucro at the apex, serrated on the margin, 
I-nerved, feather-veined. Petioles shorter than the blades, channelled 
on the upper surface, without elands. Stipules linear-subulate, half 
the length of the petiole. Peduncles axillary, slender, as long as the 
faves, dividing into branches, one sterile, the other floriferous, re- 
curved. Bracts 3, linear-awl-shaped, remote from the flower. Flower- 
tube very short. Calyx-lobes 4—6 lines long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous, 
Many-nerved, greenish outside, whitish within. Petals membranous, 
whitish, many-nerved. Intermediate row of corona a shallow fleshy 
Ting; filaments ribbon-like. Ovary ovoid, glabrous ; styles 3, long, 
slender, Capsule almost sessile, nodding, } in. long, obtuse at both 
ends, smooth. Seeds 2 lines long, ovoid or reniform, compressed, in- 
cluded within a pulpy aril; testa brown, hard, pitted; albumen fleshy. 
Cotyledons flat, fleshy. 
Lower Guinea. Benguela, Huilla, Dr. Welwitsch! Alt. 3800-5500 ft. 
¢ A singular little species, having much the aspect of a species of Viola, and in the 
Oliage of some Alchemilla. 
2. B. littoralis, Peyr.in Wana et Peyr. Sert. Benguel. 99. An her- 
baceous perennial with numerous decumbent or erect, much-branched 
stems. Breaches cylindrical or slightly angular, slightly longitudi- 
nally suleate, smooth, purplish, hollow. Leaves alternate, petiolate, 
