358 Mr. J. Miers on the Genera Aptandra, Cathedra, 



distinguishing characters than those above given, still there is 

 something in the look of the two which satisfies me that they 

 are not the same. This sort of prima facie evidence is often as 

 convincing to an entomological eye as more defined and less 

 empirical characters. 



[To be continued.] 



XXXVII. — Additional Observations upon the Genera Aptandra, 

 Cathedra, Liriosma, Leretia, Poraqueiba, and Emmotum. 

 By John Miers, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. 



Aptandra. 



In completing the drawing to illustrate this genus, as described 

 in this work (2nd ser. vii. 201), I have been able to add the 

 details since obtained of the structure of its fruit and seed. This 

 information, which fixes beyond doubt the position of Aptandra 

 in the system, is derived from the analysis of the only fruit that 

 accompanied a specimen of the Heisteria tuhicina of Poppig, 

 which I received from Mr. Spruce. This plant is described by 

 Poppig in his 'Nov. Gen.^ iii. 35, and is figured by him in 

 plate 241, but only from immature fruit. We have satisfactory 

 proof that it really belongs to Aptandra by the presence of an 

 ovary in the same specimen, which is somewhat advanced in 

 growth, and around the style of which the peculiar monadel- 

 phous staminal tube still remains, which is precisely similar to 

 that I have shown in Aptandra Spruceana, The calyx, which in 

 the flower is barely a line long, in the fruit grows to a very 

 large size, becoming campanular with an entire spreading mouth, 

 and it half envelopes the dry globular drupe, which is nearly an 

 inch in diameter. Its pericarp is smooth, coriaceous, indehis- 

 cent, haK a line in thickness, unilocular, and monospermous : 

 the nucleus, in this instance, was greatly shrivelled, and in con- 

 sequence much corrugated, and was covered with mildew, so 

 that the nature of its decayed seminal envelopes could not be 

 ascertained : a firm integument adhered closely to the pericarp, 

 which appeared to me to be the external tunic of the seed rather 

 than of the endocarp ; but of this I cannot be sure : the nucleus 

 adhered to the bottom of the cell by a round cicatrix, which ap- 

 pears to be the remnant of the free central placenta, upon which 

 the ovules are attached in the floral ovary. The nucleus con- 

 sisted of a homogeneous fleshy substance, which, after being 

 well macerated and cut open transversely, showed no signs of 

 any embryo ; but in its centre was a large vacuity, the sides of 

 which were pressed together by the shrinking of the mass : this 

 vacuity presented a very polished surface ; and from it several 

 rays branched towards the circumference, leaving so many fleshy 



