108 
Cal. 4-(rarius 5)-partitus, basi bracteatus. Germen supe- 
rum, hispidum; ovula 2, pendula; 1 abortivum. Stigma 
sessile, multiradiatum. Drupa l-locularis, l-sperma. 
Nux extus depresso-punctata, intus muricata spinulis 
numerosis obtusis. Semen pendulum. Albumen carno- 
sum, crassum, spinulis penetrantibus perforatum. —Cotyle- 
dones foliacei. Embryo ad hilum versus.—Nomen rogna, 
nux, and «xara, spina, ob nucem intus spinulis muricata. 
Pyrenacantha volubilis. (Tas. IX. X.) 
A milky shrub, with filiform, rounded, scabrous stems: the 
older ones brown. Petioles alternate, rounded, glabrous, 
flexuose, from half an inch to an inch long. Leaves oblongo- 
elliptical, retuse, veiny, especially beneath, where they are 
rather scabrous; the margin slightly revolute, entire, or re- 
motely toothed. Mate plant: Peduncles usually from a little 
above the axils, slender, about as long as the leaves, bearing 
a filiform spike of flowers at the extremity; each. flower 
having a small bractea at a little distance below, and on one. 
side. Calg 4-partite, externally rough, with appressed hairs; 
its segments ovate, acute. Cor. 0. Stamens 4, inserted at 
the very base of the calyx, and surrounding a small tubercu-. 
lated gland, or abortive germen. Filaments short, swollen at 
the base. Anthers roundish, 2-celled, opening by longitudinal 
fissures.—FEw. plant: Peduncle much shorter than the male | 
bearing at its very extremity a capitulum of 5 or 6 sessile 
minutely-bracteated flowers. Cal. as in the male (sometimes 
5-partite.) Germen oval, hispid with numerous erect hairs; 
1-celled, containing 2 pendulous ovules; 1 abortive. Stigma 
sessile, radiated, concave. | Drupe broadly ovate, slightly 
compressed and margined, rough. Nut fragile, externally 
marked with many little pits, corresponding with a number 
of obtuse prickles, which line the inside of the nut or testa, 
and give it an exceedingly beautiful appearance when viewed 
under the microscope. These prickles penetrate almost t9 
the centre of the albumen, so that when the testa, with its 
prickles, is removed, the albumen is found perforated with 
holes. - Albumen. fleshy, bearing in the centre the embryo 
