108 



Cal. 4-(rarius 5)-partitus, basi bracteatus. Germen supe- 

 rum, hispidum ; ovula 2, pendula ; 1 abortivum. Stigma 

 sessile, multiradiatum. Drupa 1-locularis, 1-sperma. 

 Nux extus depresso-punctata, intus muricata spinulis 

 luimerosis obtusis. Semen pendulum. Albumen carno- 

 sum, crassum, spinulis penetrantibus perforatum. Cotyle- 

 dones foliacei. Embryo ad hilum versus. — Nomen Trv^nm, 

 nux, and ccuxvia, spina, ob nucem intus spinulis muricata. 



Fyrenacaniha, volubilis. (Tab. IX. X.) 



A milky shrub, with filiform, rounded, scabrous stems: the 

 older ones brown. Petioles alternate, rounded, glabrous, 

 flexuose, from half an inch to an inch long. Leaves oblongo- 

 elliptical, retuse, veiny, especially beneath, where they are 

 rather scabrous ; the margin slightly revolute, entire, or I'e- 

 motely toothed. Male plant : Peduncles usually from a little 

 above the axils, slender, about as long as the leaves, bearing 

 a filiform spike o^ flowers at the extremity; each flower 

 havine: a small bractea at a little distance below, and on one 

 side. Calyx 4-partite, externally rough, with appressed hairs; 

 its segments ovate, acute. Cor. 0. Stamens 4, inserted at 

 the very base of the calyx, and surrounding a small tubercu- 

 lated gland, or abortive germen. Filaments short, swollen at 

 the base. Anthers roundish, 2-celled, opening by longitudinal 

 fissures. — Fem. plant: Peduncle much shorter than the male, 

 bearing at its very extremity a copitulum of 5 or 6 sessile, 

 minutely-bracteated flowers. Cal. as in the male (sometimes 

 5-partite.) Geimen oval, hispid with numerous erect hairs, 

 1-celled, containing 2 pendulous ovules; 1 abortive. Stigma 

 sessile, radiated, concave. Drupe broadly ovate, slightly 

 compressed and margined, rough. Nut fragile, externally 

 marked with many little pits, corresponding with a number 

 of obtuse prickles, which line the inside of the nut or testa, 

 and give it an exceedingly beautiful appearance when viewed 

 under the microscope. These prickles penetrate almost to 

 the centre of the albumen, so that when the testa, with its 

 prickles, is removed, the albumen is found perforated with 

 holes. Albumen fleshy, bearing in the centre the embryo. 



