_ J 



TWO AMEKICAN SPECIES OF GNETUM. 359 



Folia angustiora quara in G, paniciilata^ venis evidentioribus, Fanicxd<E 

 in specimine meo (masculo) parce ramosae. Amenta longinscule 

 pedicellata, bipollicaria vel paullo lougiora. VerticilU in amento 6-8, 

 inter se 3-4 lineas v. demum seraipoUicem distantes^ paullo majores 

 quam in G. pajiiculata. Mores numerosi, iis ejusdem specie! si- 

 millimi. 



In the Gapo at Managuiry, at the confluence of the Eio Negro and 

 the SolimoeSj June, 1851 (Spruce, n. 1579). 



A specimen from the last expedition into Guiana of the two Schom- 

 burgks (Sir Robert Schoraburgk, n, 1013, Eichard Schomburgk, n. 

 1737), probably from the neighbourhood of Eoraima, is nearly allied 

 to the last, and perhaps a mere variety : the male verticils are larger, 

 and still more remote, and the leaves are more like those of G. paiiicu- 

 latum ; my specimen is however very imperfect. 



Aublet's species is unknown to me : from his figure, it is mon- 

 oecious, and there are leaflike bracts under the ramifications of the 

 panicle, which I have never observed in either of the two preceding 

 species. 



Plate II. Gnetum paniculatum^ mas. 1. Flowering amentum. 2. 

 Portion of a verticil of flower, vertical section. 3. Male flower. 4. The 

 same, with the involucral scale cut open, and two of the filaments which 

 surround it : — all magnified, 



Plate III. Gnetum paniculatiim^ foemineum. 1. Ploweriug branch, 

 natural size. 2. Amentum. 3. Female flower, enlarged after fecun- 

 dation, with the protruding styliforra process of the inner coat of the 

 ovule. 4. The same, vertical section, showing the nucleus, the two 

 coats of the ovule, and the involucral scale which encloses it. 5. Fruit. 

 6. Endocarp. 7- Fruit cut open, showing the seed, the endocarp, 

 and pericarp. These however are represented rather too distinct : they 

 form but one coating when young, and are only separable at maturity. 

 8. Vertical section of the seed, showing the cavity of the albumen in 

 which the embryo lies; the embryo itself, described from fresh 

 specimens by Spruce, was destroyed by insects in the seeds sent 

 home. 3 (in the upper part of the plate). Articulated filaments which 

 surround the flower: — Nos. 2, 3, and 4 magnified, the remainder 

 natural size. 



