578 MONOECiA TETRANDRiA. Serpicula. 



of a shining, deep green on both sides, from five to six inches 

 long, by four or five broad. Petioles nearly as long as the 

 leaves, round, smooth. Stipules none. Panicles axillary, 

 coryn)biform,longer than the petioles, all the divisions smooth, 

 lucid oreen. Floivers numerous, small, white. Bractes, 

 exclusive of the involucres, oblong, one at each division of 

 the panicle. Involucre four-leaved, three-flowered, viz. two 

 male and one female, oblong, expanding. Male. Perianth 

 none. Corol six-petalled ; the exterior one rather longer 

 than the inner one. Jfectfirt/, six elevated glands, alternate 

 with the stamens, filaments three, incurved, sub-clavate, 

 shorter than »he petals. Anthers a large groove on each side 

 of the apex of the thickened filament. Female shorter pe- 

 dicelleil than the male. Perianth beneath cup-shaped, with 

 an entire mouth. Corol superior, petals eight, the inner four 

 smaller, all inserted on the apex of the germ. Jfectarj) four 

 yellow glands, alternate wilh the four inner petals. Germ 

 the perianth, but under the corol, oval. one-celled, containing 

 one ovulum, attached to the top of the cell. 67// /e shorter 

 than the petals. Stigma large, with a spreading lobed 

 margin. 



For the fruit see Gsertner's work above quoted, where the 

 description and figures are both very accurate. 



MONOECIA TETRANDRIA. 



SERPICULA. Schreh. gen. N. 1413. 

 Male calijx four-toothed. Corol four-petalled. Female 

 calyx four-parted. Pericarp a downy nut. 



S. verticillata. Willd. iv. 329. Corom. pi. ii. iV. 164. 

 Dioecous, ramous. Flowers triandrous. Leaves verti- 

 celled. 



Hottonia serrata. Willd. i. 314. 

 Teling. Poo-natsoo. 



