132 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [AUGUST 
Homalomena argentea 
The lower part of the cylindrical spadix is crowded with the 
_ pistils, interspersed with numerous staminodia; the upper is 
crowded by the equally numerous stamens. Each pistillate flower 
consists of a single ovary, which in turn is made up of 3 foliaceous 
carpels. The ovules spring from the infolded edges of the placentae, 
and are arranged in 6 ranks (fig. 26). There is no open stylar 
canal, but the inner tissues of the style are loose and spongy 
(fig. 25). The anatropous ovule is mounted on a slender funiculus. 
When it has fully developed, the inner integument is massive and 
closes over the tip of the nucellus (fig. 28). The outer remains 
as shown in the figure. 
The primary archesporial cell is’ somewhat larger than the 
Surrounding cells (fig. 27). It divides once transversely, and of 
the two resultant cells the outer one functions, the inner one being 
broken down and absorbed. Whether the latter is to be regarded 
as one of a “row of two” or as a vestigial tapetum is purely an 
academic question. F unctionally it is a tapetal cell. The embryo 
Sac contents consist of the usual 8 cells arranged in the typical 
manner (fig. 28). 
9. Stenospermation popayanense 
A curious anomalous form was found in the Botanical Gardens 
under the name Stenospermation pompayanense. This may be a 
monstrosity, but of such a sort that its description should be of 
Interest, and may have some morphological significance. Only 
one plant was found, and it bore no staminate flowers, and appat- 
ently no normal stamens, although Stenospermation is described 
by Schorr as having hermaphrodite flowers, with “stamina 
quattuor, singulo pistillo annexa.” It may be, therefore, that 
1S not a member of the genus Stenospermation, although so 
labeled. The specific name pompayanense is an old synonym of 
the original name popayanense. 
In the form under discussion, whatever its real identity, the 
long slender spadix is covered with lozenge-shaped blossoms which 
remind one at first glance of the closed blossoms of Symplocarpus 
foetidus. The resemblance is purely superficial. In Symplocarpus 
