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X. Additional Observations on the pag pentaphyllum of Lamarck. 
By Mr. Davin Dion, Libr. L.S. 
Read March 18th, 1834. 
IN the account of this remarkable plant already given, at page 11, I omitted 
to notice several interesting facts, which an examination of living specimens in 
a more perfect state has enabled me to supply, and which greatly strengthen 
its claims to be regarded as the type of a distinct genus. The first character 
I shall have to notice is the persistent nature of the calyx, so different from 
that of Tropeolum, which is strictly deciduous. Not only is the calyx per- 
sistent, but it undergoes considerable changes during the progress of the fruit 
towards maturity, at which period it will be found to have increased very 
much both in size and thickness, its vitality continuing undiminished until 
the decay of the stem that supports it. In the advanced state, the tube or 
spur assumes a fleshy consistence, and is abundantly supplied with a honey- 
like fluid, its extremity being partially separated from the rest by a constric- 
tion, as if formed by a ligature, and finally withering and falling off, while the 
other parts remain in a healthy state. 
The internal structure of the seeds differs materially from that of Tropao- 
lum; the embryo is small and white, contained in a thin cartilaginous testa ; 
and the cotyledons round and compressed. 
I would therefore propose the following additions to the technical part of 
my former description. 
Calyx persistens, demüm, fructu maturescenti, valdé auctus, carnosus: cal- 
cari infundibuliformi, inferné constricto, extremitate clavatáà mellifera 
decidua!  Seminis testd cartilagineà, alba. Embryo parvus, albus: coty- 
ledones subrotundze, compresse. 
VOL. XVII. : U 
