to regard this as a new genus, and to call it Keramanthus, in 
allusion to the pitcher-like form of the calyx. 
Keramanthus Kirkii is stated by Dr. Kirk to be very com- 
mon at Zanzibar, where it is planted, like the Jatropha 
Curcas, to mark the site of graves. It flowers at Kew during 
the greater part of the year; our tallest plant is 2 feet high. 
Descr. Softly tomentose, with weak spreading hairs, 
Stems 3 to 4 feet high, numerous from the root, strict, erect, 
as thick as the arm at the base, tapering upwards, cylindric, 
green and herbaceous but perennial, simple or sparingly 
branched, leaf-scars small remote. eaves towards the top of 
the stems, alternate, spreading, petioled, two to four inches in 
diameter, orbicular-ovate, obtuse, usually deeply cordate at 
the base, obscurely sinuate-toothed, soft, pale bright-green ; 
nerves very prominent beneath ; petiole shorter than the blade, 
peltately attached. Stipules lateral, subulate, entire or lacerate. 
Flowers in axillary 2-3-flowered erect peduncles, which are 
shorter than the petiole; pedicels one half to two inches 
long, erect, jointed below the-perianth, with 1-2 subulate 
bracteoles at the base. Calyx one to one and a half inch 
long, oblong-urceolate, green, fleshy, tomentose, rounded at 
the base, terete; lobes 5 small, triangular-ovate, tomentose 
on the thickened margins. Petals included, inserted half- 
way down the calyx-tube, distant, linear-subulate, ciliate 
and sometimes cleft in the male flower (glabrous in the fe- 
male fl. Kirk). Corona of 5-6 recurved hooked processes at 
- the base of the perianth, and placed opposite to the stamens. 
Stamens in the male fl. 5 or 6 (reduced to subulate stami- 
nodes in the female, Kirk) ; filaments subulate, connate at the 
base ; anthers linear-oblong, apiculate. Ovary in the female f1., 
_ globose, stipitate (reduced to a minute ovoid body in the 
male). Styles 3, united at the base ; stigmas capitate plumose ; 
placentas 3; ovules numerous, horizontal, funicle not very — 
long. Fruit one to one and a half inches in diameter, globose, 
drooping, indehiscent, coriaceous, many-seeded. Seeds nume- 
rous, one-half inch long, oblong, flattened, enclosed in the 
sac-like fleshy aril, which is truncate at the summit; testa 
scrobiculate—J. D. H. 
Fig. 1. Male flower cut vertically :—enlarged. — 
