138 Shazi' — Structure of the Flozvers in 



Corolla. — The inner whorl of the perianth consists, as 

 before, of one anterior and two posterior petals. The anterior 

 one is hooded, the hood bears a beautiful fringed tuft, and 

 the whole structure measures about 2 cm. in length. The 

 two posterior ones are equal, slightly inferior in length to the 

 fringed hood, and the inner margins of their distal ends are 

 greatly thickened. All three petals fuse below with each 

 other and with the stamens. 



Andra'ciuin. — In this species the stamens are only six in 

 number. They are nearly equal in size ; the dehiscence of 

 the microsporangia and the character of the spores are those 

 usual to the genus. The superficial cells of the micro- 

 sporangial walls exhibit stellate thickenings similar to the 

 condition in P. polygarna. The microspores are much larger, 

 measuring at the time of pollination about 40 mm. in diameter. 



Gynccciiuii. — Corresponding with the elaborate development 

 of the flower throughout, the pistil is also highly specialized. 

 The two-celled ovary is of the strict Polygala tj-pe. The 

 style is very long, and just as it leaves the ovary, bends 

 sharply anteriorly, and becomes nearly adherent with the 

 corolla-stamen body. The petals and filaments have united 

 anteriorly in such a way that the style is enclosed in a narrow 

 passage. The tissues of all are more or less united, and so 

 we have here a case of initial gynandry combined with a 

 complete coalescence of petals and stamens. Above, the style 

 expands into a free, relatively large clubshaped organ, which 

 bends posteriorly in a semicircle under the hood and down- 

 wards, and bears at its tip a small, glandular, stigmatic point. 

 In this case also a canal traverses the style, and nearly or 

 quite forms a passage from the ovarian cavit}' to the exterior. 

 The glandular hairs noted on the ovary of the former species 

 are here wanting. 



Nectary. — In line with the more showy appearance of 

 P. paucifoUa we find a highly developed nectary. It occupies 



