CXVI. PODOSTEMACE®. 851 
bearing half an anther that bursts outwardly—Female : 
Ovary minute, plano-convex; stigmas 2, filiform; ovules nu- 
merous, on 2 parietal placentas. Capsule bursting by 1 longi- 
tudinal slit. Seeds yery minute.—Tulasne, Monog. Podostem. 
p- 47. 
Perennial, stemless water-plants, growing on stones, natives chiefly of Ma- 
dagascar. Leaves few, very long, simple or compound, often covered with 
appendages. Scapes long, naked or scaly below, above covered with im- 
bricating floriferous bracts.—1 species, from Natal, apparently identical 
with a Madagascar one (H/. imbricata). 
2. SPH ROTHYLAX, Bischoff. 
Flowers hermaphrodite, at first sessile in a spathe, which 
bursts irregularly, finally exserted on a pedicel. Perianth 0. 
Stamens 2, monadelphous, with 2 lateral staminodia ; filament 
of the fertile stamens united to the middle; anthers 2-lobed, 
bursting inwardly. Ovary oblique, 1-celled ; stigmas 2, free, 
short, lmear; ovules very numerous, on a thick central pla- 
centa. Capsule ribbed, 2-valved, very many-seeded.—Tulasne, 
Monog. Podostem. p. 160. 
A small, creeping, almost leafless plant, forming small, green expansions 
(fronds) on stones under water, which consist of much-branched, interlacing, 
linear lobes. Spathes sessile on the fronds.—Only 1 species known, from 
Natal. 
3. TRISTICHA, Petit Thouars. 
Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianth membranous, 3-parted. 
Stamen 1; anthers ovate, 2-celled, bursting inwardly. Ovary 
shortly stalked, 3-celled ; stigmas 3, short, linear; ovules very 
numerous, in the angles of the cells, on very thick placentas. 
Capsule 3-gonous, 9-ribbed, 3-celled, 3-valved, many-seeded. 
—Tulasne, Monog. Podostem. p. 179. 
African and American submerged, moss-like plants. Stems slender, 
branched. Leaves small, ovate, entire, crowded, scattered or whorled. 
Flowers axillary or terminal, solitary or crowded.—2 species, from Natal. 
Suscrass 2. GYMNOSPERM A. 
Orver CXVII. GNETACES, 
Flowers in monecious or dicecious catkins, accompanied by 
torn sheaths or palee, the male girt with a 2-fid sheath. 
Stamens 1 or more, connate at base or in a column; anthers 
2-4-celled; cells opening by an oblong pore. Ovules ses- 
sile, erect, orthotropous, with a single, double or triple coat, 
the outer coat opening by a narrow mouth, the inner produced 
