88 
Spatha ovate, compressed, 2-leaved ; the leaves united at their 
margins, and bursting at the apex. Spadiz somewhat shorter 
than the spatha, conical, covered on all sides with innumerable 
shortly pedicelled, very small flowers. Calyx petaloid, 4-parted ; 
segments somewhat unequal, obtuse, reflexed, thus forming a 
little float to keep the two short diverging stamens above 
water after the flowers are separated from the parent plant. 
Stigmas obtuse; pollen consisting of small transparent globules. 
FEMALE: Scape spiral, capillary, of considerable length. 
Spatha tubular, 2-cleft at the apex, nearly as long as the 
spadix. Calyx 3-cleft; divisions short, obtuse, triangular. 
Corolla none. Stamens 3, sterile, inserted on the spadix, 
alternate with the segments of the calyx, very small. Style 
none. Stigmas 3, spreading, petal-like, hairy on their upper 
surface, and 3-cleft. Capsule (a berry, Br.,) cylindrical, 
2-4 inches in length, including many parietal seeds. 
In small water-tanks throughout India: to be found, perhaps, 
all the year, but principally during the rainy and cool season. 
It is marked as annual by Roxburgh; but this is perhaps an 
error. It extends itself rapidly by runners from the roots. 
- (Dr. Wight is, no doubt, correct in referring this to the 
V. spiraloides of Roxburgh; but on comparing the plant 
with the V. spiralis of Europe, it appears to be identical 
with it, and to haye a very extended range, being found also 
in New Holland and in North America.—2H. 7 
Suprt. Tas. XXII. Male plant. Fig. 1, Extremity of a 
leaf. Fig. 2, Flower-bud, taken from the spatha. Fig. T 
Flower :—magnijied. 
SurPrL. Tas. XXIV. Female plant. Fig. 1, Upper Wero E 
of a flower, with part of the spatha. Fig. 2, Section of the 
germen, showing the arrangement of the uten We 
XXV. 
PLADERA VIRGATA. 
— 'TETRANDRIA Monoeynia. Nat. Ord. GENTIANEA. 
Cal. elongatus, 4-dentatus. Cor. infundibuliformis, limbo 
