2820), only that the latter plant is compressed or two- 
angled ; as is indeed the Lerismium paradoxum, Preirr. 
Descr. The stem, in our plant, is about two feet long, 
articulated, branched, the joints elongated, very unequal, 
below small, scarcely three-fourths of an inch in the greatest 
diameter, whereas the upper and younger shoots measure 
two inches across: all of them are elongated, but various 
in length, tri-angular, full green, the angles much com- 
pressed and deeply sinuato-serrate: at the apex of the ser- 
rature, or tooth, is a membranous point, or scale ; and within 
it a cavity filled with a tuft of erect, protruded bristles. In 
the lower and older parts of the stem, the serratures and 
scale are less distinct, the hairs or bristles are fewer, more 
_protruded and black. In the cavities, thus situated, of the 
younger and large articulations, the flowers appear: these 
are small and partly immersed. Germen minute, inferior, 
naked. Sepals small, petaloid, uniting into a very short 
tube, gradually passing into the large, oblong-lanceolate, 
slightly reflexed petals, of a greenish-white colour slightly 
pinches alien purple. Stamens numerous, unequal, shorter 
t 
than the petals. Style as long as the petals. Stigma four- 
partite. 
Fig. 1. Flower, magnified. 2. An Areola, whence a Flower has been 
removed, magnified. 
