152 



subinferum. Stylus subexsertus. Stigma incrassatum, 

 obsolete trilobum. Capsula 3-cocca, 3-sperma, inferne 

 basi calycis cincta. 



Fruticesj cortice viridi tecti^ valde ramosL Rami decussatim 

 opposite spinescentes. Folia opposita^ pauca vel nulla* 

 Yloves pedunculati e tuberculis axiltaribus ad basin spinarmn 

 erumpentes. 



" No organ in this family," observes M. Brongniart, '^ pre- 

 sents more numerous modifications, or more important for 

 classification, than the discJ^ If this be the case, we shall 

 surely be correct in confining the genus Colletia to those m- 

 dividuals of this tribe which have the disc constituted as 

 above described. Brongniart describes this disc as being 

 cupulaeform, or cup-shaped, which, however correct in 

 reality, does not convey the idea of the appearance of this 



■ 



disc that the words of M, Kunth do. I have seen nothing 

 like it in any other plants of the order. The probability, in- 

 deed, is, that this disc originates at the very base of the 

 germen, that it lines the very bottom of the calyx, but with a 

 coat so thin, that, though distinctly represented as such in 

 the figure of Colletia spinosa figured by Brongniart, I have not 

 myself been able to discover it. A little above the base, the 

 disc becomes distinctly visible, and forms a narrow, fleshyj 

 entire, reflexed ring- It is at its insertion that the separa- 

 tion takes place, as the fruit advances to maturity, when the 

 base remains and surrounds the base of the fruit. 



Spinis Latissimis. 



1. Colletia crwcmto, {GilL et Hook.) ; foliis paucissimis ellip- 

 ticis integerrimis, caule horrido spinis decussatis laterah- 

 ter compressis ovatis acutissimis decurrentibus. (Tab. 



XLIII.) 



Hab. In coUibus arenosis prope " Maldonado," Rio de la 



Plata. 



Frutex tri-quadripedalis, erectus, ramosus. Eami decussa- 

 tim oppositi, subangulati, ubique spinis magnis horridis 

 decussatis, lateraliter comnressis. nvafic nr^nficsimis. pun- 



\ 



