48 DR. J. D. HOOKER ON THE GENERA AND SPECIES 
It is a remarkable fact that impregnation appears to be effected in this genus when the 
greater part of the inflorescence is completely clothed with the imbricating bracteæ, and in 
some cases when the plant is still under the surface of the soil. Thus, Weddell's drawings — 
of L. Bolivianum show that even after the fruit is mature it is wholly subterranean, the 
upper part of the male portion of the inflorescence alone being above ground. In my 
specimens of Z. Weddellii, which have all the appearance of being subterranean, and 
which are very young, the pollen is partially shed and the fruit fully formed (though 
abortive), and yet the peduncle would have to lengthen to three times its present length 
before the scales fall away and the plant appears to be in perfection. With regard to 
Weddell's drawings and specimens, they suggest the idea that the upper or male part of 
the spike in elongating under ground sheds so much pollen in the soil, that the female 
capitula on the lower part of the spike, which are afterwards carried up through the same 
soil, are impregnated by the pollen-grains remaining imbedded in it. On the other hand, 
L. Weddellii being diœcious, suggests insect-agency as absolutely essential to the process. 
I have already (p. 24) alluded to the remarkable similarity between the inflorescence 
and flower of this genus and of Gunnera. : ; 
1. LoPHOPHYTUM MIRABILE, Schott & Endl. Melet. i. t. 1 ; Weddell in Ann. Se. Nat. 
ser. 3. xiv. p. 185. t. 10. f. 31-33. 
Archimedea, Leandro. 
Hab. Sylvis tropicis Brasiliæ meridionalis prov. Sebastianopol (Schott): Leandro (in Hb. Mus. Paris.). 
This very remarkable plant is well figured by Endlicher, who however represents it in 
a very advanced state, when the peltate scales have fallen away from the base of the 
capitula of flowers; the younger specimens preserved in the Paris Herbarium altogether 
resemble those of L. Weddellii, but are much smaller. According to a drawing of M. — 
Weddell's, apparently of this species (and which was copied from one by M. Descourtils), 
the whole plant appears immersed in the soil with the exception of the inflorescence, — 
which rises up like the upper part of a long pine-cone with sharp erect brown scales that — 
conceal the red male flowers. 
The scales observed and figured by Weddell amongst the female flowers much resemble 
those of Cynomorium; they are apparently bracteolæ, subtending the female flowers, to 
which they are very obscurely attached. 
2. Lornornytum Botivianum, Weddell in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser. 3. xiv. p. 185. t. 10. f. 29, 30. 
Hab. In Boliviz prov. de Cordillera, sylvis humidis. Fl. Novembri (Weddell). 
I am indebted to Dr. Weddell for a fine drawing of this species and for specimens. In 
general appearance it closely resembles L. mirabile ; but the rhizome is lobed, the lobes 
. rounded, and it appears to be buried up to far beyond the middle of the 
the soil, the whole of the female flowers and the lower half of the male 
of the spike being subterranean: as however the Balanophore and R 
Sometimes wholly exposed (even the rhizome), and at others 
so may these plants be; to which it may be added, that in 
inflorescence in 
hopalocnemis are 
almost immersed in mould, 
the tropical forests wherein 
or upper portion — 
