DIOSCOREACE. 355 
pergamentacea ; semina oblonga, undique alata, alterum supra alterum infra medium loculi 
affixum. 
Souta Mexico, Orizaba (Botteri, 1184). Hb. Kew. 
The compound female inflorescence of this species distinguishes it from all others 
we have seen from Mexico and Central America; and we have not been able to match 
it with male specimens. There is a small scrap in Kew herbarium (Orizaba, Bour- 
geau, 3043) which may possibly be the same. 
5. Dioscorea convolvulacea, Ch. et Schl. (Descript. amplif.) (Tab. LXX XIX.) 
Foliis 9-11-nerviis subtus precipue in nervis venisque albido-pilosulis, floribus glabris masculinis 
racemosis, quam folia brevioribus, perianthii 6-partita segmentis oblongis, staminibus 3, quam 
perianthium parum brevioribus, filamento crassis basi valde dilatatis. 
Herba (ex Schlechtendalio) volubilis, caulibus hirtellis striatis. Folia alterna, longe petiolata, vix 
membranacea, 9-]1-nervia, nervo utroque extimo 1-2-furcato, vere cordiformia, 3-5-pollicaria, 
sepissime obtusiuscule acuminata, supra glabra, subtus preecipue in nervis venisque albido- 
pilosula. Flores masculini ad 8 lineas diametro, laxiuscule racemosi, glabri; racemi simplices 
vel furcati, rhachi hirtella; pedicelli glabri, solitarii, perianthio vix longiores ; bractez pedi- 
cellis 3-plo breviores ; perianthii segmenta oblonga, patentia; stamina ;3 ; filamenta crassa, 
perianthio parum breviora, basi valde dilatata. Flores feminei glabri, subsessiles ; spice pedun- 
culate, foliis breviores; bractee parve; perianthii lobi oblongi, obtusi, patenti; styli lobis 
perianthinis paullo breviores divaricati. Capsula pergamentacea, oblonga, 9-12 lineas longa, 
5-6 lineas lata, brevissime pedicellata ; semina basi alata, supra medium loculorum affixa.— 
Ch. et Schl. in Linnea, vi. p. 49; Helmia convolwulacea, Kunth, Enumer. Pl. v. p. 415? 
Sour Mexico, Santa Fé &c., valley of Mexico (Bourgeau, 646, 1024; Schaffner, 
494). Hb. Kew. 
We have seen no authentic specimens of this species, and our plant does not agree 
in all respects with Kunth’s definition, though it does agree very well with Schlech- 
tendal’s, as far as it goes. It is a very distinct species. 
EXPLANATION OF TAB. XCII. 
Portions of the male and female plant, in flower, of Dioscorea convolvulacea, with a cluster of ripe 
fruit: natural size. Fig. 1,a male flower; 2, a stamen; 8, a female flower: all enlarged ; 
4, a seed-vessel; 5, a seed: very slightly enlarged. 
6. Dioscorea cuspidata, Humb. ex. Presl, Reliq. Henk. i. p. 133. 
Mexico ? 
An altogether doubtful plant. 
7. Dioscorea cymosula, Hemsley, n. sp. (Tab. XC.) 
Canescens, foliis amplis orbiculari-cordatis 11-nerviis, floribus masculinis racemoso-cymulosis, 
racemis elongatis basi tantum ramosis, staminibus 6 subsequalibus filamentis perianthio basi 
adnatis, floribus femineis racemosis solitariis. : 
Herba vel frutex volubilis, caulibus puberulis. Folia alterna, longe petiolata, membranacea, 1]-nervia, 
nervis extimis 1—2-furcatis, orbiculari-cordata, acuminata, acuta, lamina 5 poll. diametro, pre- 
. cipue subtus albido-pubescens ; petiolus ad 3-pollicaris. Flores masculini albido-pubescentes, 
2-24 lineas diametro, racemoso-cymulosi, subsessiles ; cymulz breves, 2-6-flore (floribus versus 
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