128 DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLOWER. 
vexillum is the largest; the pistillum is resolved into a leaf 
folded inwards, that is, towards the axis, its margins generally 
entire, sometimes toothed, always somewhat thickened. 
e veins are 3 anastomosing, one dorsal and two marginal. 
The edge of the margins are very cellular and papillose, this 
is continuous round the point of the leaf, with the same 
stratum of the midrib, but which is not papillose. The 
margins below frequently bear ovula, sometimes 4, evidently 
springing from the incurved or inner 2 of the thick margin. 
The ovules are either linear lanceolate, like a leaf with a 
white papillose flat margin, or their margins are incurved 
and thickened. 
_ In which case their central vein is simple, otherwise it is 
branched sometimes on one side. In one instance the lower 
of 4 ovules, two on either side only represented a mere in- 
curved folded veined leaf, the sinus producing a decurved 
stalk terminated by a head, in which two annuli, and a cen- 
tral prominent nucleus were evident enough. To the base 
of the stalk a branch proceeded from the vein, a very remark- 
able structure. [Curious variation occurs in the inflexion of 
these ovula.] ; 
In one instance the stalk of the ovary had a sheathing 
base bearing in its axil a prolongation of the axis of inflo- 
rescence, a short spike of hairy bracts, each with a minute 
flower calyx tolerably formed ; the petals and stamina were 
rudimentary and incomplete. From the margins of the dilated 
part, just above the bud, proceed two stipule? but much like 
the leaflets above. 
hese presented no great variety, one was incurved yet 
had anastomosing veins. The last was not stipellate, but 
continuous, from a broad base with the substance of the leaf, 
more like a tooth; it drew its vessel, however, from the 
placental fascicle. This proves that the legume is not a ter- 
minate leaf. -The venation is curious, the dilated part below 
the stipule had only two veins, one central and one lateral, 
for a stipule; this on passing the stipula base, turned inwards 
to the central fascicle, touched it as it were, and then passed 
on distinct; the other stipule was supplied by an oblique vein 
