Tab. 5G39. 



DOMBEYA Mastersii. 



Dr. Masters's Dombeya. 



Nat. Ord. Sterculiace^e. — Monadelphia Pentandria. 

 Oen. Char. (Vide supra, Tab. 5487.) 



Dombeya JUatterni; rarnulis gracilibus foliis utrinque et inflorescentia 

 pilis laxis molliter villosis, foliis gracile petiolatis late ovato-cor- 

 datis acuminatis angulatim sub-3-lobis serrato-dentatis 7-9-nerviis, 

 pilis subtus ad nervos stellatis, stipulis lanceolatis ?, corymbis gracile 

 pedicellatis subsimplicibus multifloris ebracteatis. pedicellis filiformibus 

 calycibusque patentim pilosis, bracteis lanceolatis sepalis reflexis cou- 

 similibus, petalis obovato-cuneatis valde obliquis uno latere producto 

 acuto albis, staminibua 15, stylo gracili, stigmatibus filiformibus re- 

 curvis. 



Dombeya angulata. Masters in Gard. Chron. January, 1867, p. 14, non Cav. 



The beautiful plant here figured flowered in the Palm 

 house at Kew in January of the present year, and was the 

 subject of an interesting communication to the c Gardeners' 

 Chronicle ' by Dr. Masters, who, besides deservedly eulogizing 

 it for the elegance of its perfumed trusses of pure white 

 flowers, adds some valuable observations on the morphology 

 of the flowers, and a curious account of the action of the sta- 

 minodes in the process of fertilization. The staminodes, he 

 observes in the opening flower to curve downwards and out- 

 wards, so as to come into contact with the stamens, whose 

 anthers open outwardly, and allow their pollen to adhere to 

 them. Being thus provided with a freight of pollen, the 

 staminodes uncoil, and bring their points to a level with the 

 stigmata, which curl round them, and thus receive the pollen. 

 Should this interesting observation be verified, it will prove 

 a remarkable discovery, and proof of an arrangement for self- 

 fertilization, as curious as any that Mr. Darwin has dis- 

 covered for the contrary effect 



With regard to the correct nomenclature of this species 



APRIL 1st. 1867. 



