— 143 - 



RÉSUMÉ, 



«iruclure, dcvelopnient and fertilisatlon of the floiiiers of 

 Comiuelyiia (with plate II). 



The biology of the flowers of Commelyna has been studied by 

 H. Muller (See page 119, note (*) and W, Breitenbach (See 

 page 122, note(*). See page 119 for the description of Commelyna 

 coelestis by Muller. 



We have studied three species of Commelyna, cultivated in 

 open air in the botanical garden at Ghent. Those three species are 

 nearly similar, and we choose as their type the Commelyna 

 tuberosa. We shall afterwards mention some particulars concer- 

 ning the two other species. 



The flower of Commelyna tuberosa is coraposed of 



1*» A calyx with three sepals. 



2° A corolla with three blue petals ; each of the petals has a 

 distinct narrow claw. 



3° Sixstamens. Each of the three upper stamens m^ (flg. 1,2, 3) 

 has a large, bright-yellow connective, which bears two small 

 goniothecae (flg. 7, 13, s), and is divided into four ;mc?/ lobes 

 (fig. 7, 13, b,u.) The goniothecae contain a small supply of yellow 

 pollen. — The two inferior-lateral stamens m* (flg. 1, 2, 3) are 

 almost as long as the style, and curved like an S. — The inferior- 

 median stamen >«' (flg. 1, 2, 3) curves upwards, in such a way 

 as to place its anther before the ovary, in the middle of the 

 flower. The anthers of the stamens >n-(representedby flg. 16-17) 

 are quite movable, and their pollen surface (fig. 16) is turned 

 towards the middle-line of the flower. The anther of the stamen 

 m'(flg. 14-15) is larger than the anthers of the other stamens; 

 the yellow pollen lies chiefly on its anterior (dorsal) surface, and 

 that circumstance renders the anther conspicuous 



4° A single ovary, with a style. The style is curved like an S, 

 and somewhat longer than the stamens m^. 



Seen in proflle, the different parts of the flower, that is the 

 stigma, the anthers m^, the anther m' and the anthers m* 

 (fig. 1, 3, 4.) are obliquely disposed one above another, like the 

 roundsof a ladder. 



