50 DR. J. D. HOOKER ON THE GENERA AND SPECIES 
differs from Lophophytwm; the male flowers, according to Weddell’s drawing, appear to - 
consist of a solitary stamen with no trace of a perianth. 3 
The figure given in Pæppig and Endlicher's * Nov. Gen. et Sp. Plant.’ is probably made 4 
up in part from notes or memory, for it can hardly be doubted that the plant they in- 
tended is specifically the same as Weddell's O. zamioides, as he himself informs me. The 3 
rhizome is solitary, tuberous, not lobed, and bears one pedunele, which is surrounded at 4 
the base by a large volva. The inflorescence is cylindrical, and there is no interruption 
between the male flowers which occupy the upper half of the peduncle and the females. 
The bracts are quite similar in each, are persistent, and have a broad orbicular peltate dise. 
1, OMBROPHYTUM PERUVIANUM, Pæpp. & Endl. Nov..Gen. et Sp. Plant. ii. p. 60. t. 155. 
O. zamioides, Weddell, in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser. 3. xiv. t. 10. f. 23-28. 
Hab. In sylvis densis Peruviæ subandinæ ad Cuchero (Peppig); et prov. de las Cordillera (Weddell). 
Fl. Sept.-Nov. (Nom. vern: “ Mays del Monte,” Pæpp.) 
IX. ScyBaLıum, Schott & Endl. 
1. SCYBALIUM FUNGIFORME, Schott & Endl. Melet. p. 3. t.2. Unger in Ann. Wien. 
Mus. ii. t. 2. f. 4, t. 4. f. 19, 20. 
Hab. In sylvis Brasilize ad Sierra d'Estrella (Schott). 
I have nothing to add to the excellent description cited above. In habit the genus - 
approaches Langsdorffia more than any of the Distyli. In the crowded and often connate 
peduncles and unisexual capitula, as well as in the plane figure of the latter, it differs | 
from its allies; also in the filiform hairs which occur amongst the male flowers and 
= are exserted far beyond the articulated threads, and which are probably undeveloped 1 
females. The 2-celled ovar 
y invariably (as it is described) followed by a one-seeded fruit, | 
is unique in the Order. ] 
The rhizome resembles that of Corynea, the scaly peduncle that of Sphærorhizon. The 
fact of one male peduncle being always surrounded by several females on the same rhizome 
is unique, and does not necessitate the ope | 
ration of dichogamy which occurs in Helosis. 
From fig. 13 of the plate quoted, it appears that the male flowers are developed in succes- 
sion for a considerable period. 
X. SPHÆRORHIZON, Hook. fil. 
Rhizoma napiforme seu depresso-globosum, solitarium, Pedunculus solitarius, curvus, squamatus, basi 
annulo brevi rhizomatis circumdatus, junior squamis densissimå imbricatis velatus, demüm elongatus, 
squamis oblongis obtusis subpeltatis denique deciduis. 
E Capitulum ovoideum, monoicum, squamis 
deciduis peltatis tectum. Flores et fila 
| articulata Helosis, sed synemate 3-loculari apice dehiscente. 
1. SPHÆRORHIZON CURVATUM, Hook. fil. (Tan. X.) 
Hab. Sylvis alpinis Novæ Granadæ inter vicum Ni 
Rhizoma 3-3 unc, diametr., obscurè lobatum, 
validus, I une. diametr., interdåm brevi 
catis tectus, 
laxè velatus, 
va et montes Paramo de Ruiz dictis (Purdie). Fl. Jul. 
radicibus validis sessile. Pedunculus flexuosus 1-6 uncialis, 
x : ssimus et squamis multiseriatis patentibus densissimé imbri- 
interdüm elongatus squamis longioribus å unc. longis obtusis latà basi subpeltatim affixis 
Squamz infra capitulum magis peltatæ latè adnate basibus apicibusque truncatis sub- - 
