Tab. 8. 
Loddigesiane. : - 
GUSMANNIA TRICOLOR. 
; ane eater ry oP oynia. 
Nar. Orv. Bromelie, Juss. Linn. Syst. Hexandria Monogynia 
Petala 3, in tubum convoluta. Antherz in 
GUSMANNIA, R. et P. Cal. inferus 3-partitus ; laciniis convolutis. | 
Pers. Syn. 1. 344. 
cylindrum coalite. Capsula 3-locularis, 3-valvis: ‘Sem. numerosa, oblonga, nuda. 
rere TERI Renmm 
‘Gusmannia tricolor, Ruiz et Pav. Fl. Per. 3. 38. t. 261. Pers. Syn.1.c. Loddiges Bot. Cabinet. 
Pourretia sympaganthera. R. et P. Syst. p. 82. 
Descr. Herba glaberrima, viridi-lutea, 2-pedalis, ¢ radice sobolifera. Folia radicalia, ensiformia, cane eey plana, in- 
tegerrima, basi latiora. Caulis terminalis, foliis paulo longior. Spica elongata, imbricata, cylindracea. Bractee magne, eae 
acuminate, pallidé virides, 9-striate, superiores vacue, coccinee. Flores albi, solitaril, ephemeri, vix aperientes, bracteis paulo 
breviores. Perianthium duplex, inferum, exterius 3-phyllum, fuscum, foliolis ovatis, cartilagineis, circa tubum tntertoris convos 
lutis ; intertus 3-phyllum, foliolis oblongis membranaceis diaphanis, in tubum coherentibus, exteriore longioribus, limbo ovali, 
clauso, ad collum constricto. Stamina 6, hypogyna, filamentis tenuibus, loratis, surstim dilatatis, tubi longitudine. Antheree 
antic, incumbentes, in cylindrum coherentes, lineares, apiculate, 2-loculares, loculis parallelis discretis, margine lurido-pur- 
pureis. Pollen copiosum, sphericum, pallide luteum, hic illic papillosum. Ovarium superum, ovatum, 3-loculare; loculis 
polyspermis. Ovula minuta, placenta axili dilatate affixa. Stylus filiformis, contortus. Sligmata 3 faleata, intus fimbriata. 
RRM ed eS 
In our Taz. 1, we have figured and described a very remarkable plant of the natural order of Bromelie, for which 
we were obliged to Mr. Lambert. We are now happy to have an opportunity of publishing a still rarer plant of the 
same splendid tribe, which flowered in the hothouse with Messrs. Loddiges a few months ago, to whom we are 
obliged for permission to figure it. Itis a native of the mountains of Peru, where it was found growing upon trees 
by Ruiz and Pavon. We have not yet seen it in any other collection than that of Messrs. Loddiges. 
The genus has been named by the authors of the Mlora Peruviana, as they inform us, after Signor Anastatio 
Gusman, an industrious apothecary, and zealous collector of the plants and other natural productions of South Ame- 
rica. It was originally published by them with the inharmonious name of Pourretia sympaganthera ; but, in the 
Flora Peruviana itself, has been placed as a distinct genus under the name we have adopted. The curious manner 
in which its anthers cohere, affords an obvious distinction between it and the other genera of the order. But the 
whole structure of the flower is highly deserving of attention. On account not only of the thick substance of the 
limb of the inner divisions of the perianth, and their membranous delicate tube, but of the extreme thinness of the 
filaments, which are wholly incapable of supporting the anthers, nature has given a hard cartilaginous texture to the 
outer segments, which enables them, by their contraction, to bear up those parts which require support, and which, 
without this provision, would be incapable of performing their necessary functions. Between the outer and inner 
series of the flower, a considerable quantity of honey is secreted. 
While we are upon this subject, we cannot avoid recommending most strongly to the attention of those who are 
accustomed to import tropical plants, and especially to such as are more particularly in correspondence with persons 
in the West Indies, the numerous splendid species of Bromeliaceous plants which abound in those regions, and 
which are scarcely known in Europe more than by name. Not to mention their beauty, the facility with which they 
may be transported from place to place, and the readiness with which they adapt themselves to our mode of culture, 
render them peculiarly desirable. 
The genera Brometia and Tillandsia alone contain many species which might be procured without difficulty, and 
which would not suffer by comparison with the finest plants we at present possess. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATS. 
1. An entire flower. 2. The same deprived of its outer laciniz. 3. The stamens 
six anthers laid open, and seen from within at the time of bursting. 5. A single ani 
6. The pollen. 7. The entire ovarium, with the style and stiomas, , 
section of the ovarium, showing its three cells, and mode of alent 
after all the perianth is stripped off. 4. The 
her in a young state, with part of its filament. 
8. The three stigmas much magnified. 9, A transverse 
ation, . 
