Mr. Coledhook f, on the Tndirm Specie of Menispermum. I 1 » 



encompasses it, seems to be nectarial. Tin? term of inner corol 

 may however be retainedfor it, if judged preferable. It is waul- 

 ing in some plants of this family. 



The number of fertile stamens is commonly six : but in one 

 instance three; in another many. The sterile filaments arc in 

 general equally numerous in the female tlower. 



The number of pistils is commonly three ; but in one instance 

 twelve ; in another six. Their germs contain solitary (ft ula at- 

 tached to the middle of the inside of the cell. They ripen into 

 as many drupes or monospermous berries : but in one instance 

 the nut is described by Roxburgh as two-celled. 



The seeds are lunulate or spheroidal. In the fatter case they 

 contain a chamber or cavity ; and their form is, as it wen. ge- 

 nerated by a semi-revolution or expansion of the more natural 

 unula. 



The quaternary proportion of the American species, con- 

 trasted with the ternary of the Indian, furnishes a ready and 

 obvious ground for a first subdivision of the genus, whether into 

 sections or distinct genera. That ground has been taken by 

 Decandolle, who leaves to the Canadian moon-plant and its con- 

 geners the name of Menispermum ; and severs the rest under the 

 ancient denomination of the most noted Indian sorts (Cocculus*). 



This nevertheless requires revision, with a view to further se- 

 parations ; as it yet constitutes but a heterogeneous group. Ma- 

 terials, however, are wanting for the complete reformation of it. 

 Of some plants comprehended in it, the male flower only has 

 been examined ; of others, the female ; of several, neither of 

 them, but the fruit alone, or merely the climbing shrub without 

 fructification. It would be premature, then, to attempt the en- 

 tire rectification of it at present ; though it may be meantime 

 suggested, that the Menispermum heteroclitum of Roxburgh, 



* Reg. Veg. i. 51 1, 515, and 540. 



vol. xiii. ii which 



MISSOURI 



BOTANICAL, 



GARDEN. 



