50 DR. J. D. HOOKER ON THE GENERA AND SPECIES 



differs fi-om Lophophylmn ; the male flowers, according to Weddell's drawing, appear to 

 consist of a solitary stamen Avith no trace of a perianth. 



The figm-e given in Posppig and Endlicher's ' Nov. Gen. et Sp. Plant.' is probably made 

 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. zandoides, as he himself informs me. The 

 rhizome is solitary, tuberous, not lobed, and bears one peduncle, which is surrounded at 

 the base by a large volva. The inflorescence is cylindrical, and there is no interruption 

 lietween the male flowers which occupy the tipper half of the peduncle and the females. 

 The bracts are quite similar in each, are persistent, and have a broad orbicular peltate disc. 



1. Ombrophttum Peruvianum, Poepp. & Endl. Nov. Gen. et Sp. Plant, ii. p. 60. t. 155. 



0. zamioides, Weddell, in Ann. Sc. Nat. ser. 3. xiv. t. 10. f. 23-28. 



Hab. In sylvis densia Peruviae subandinae ad Cuchero {Pceppiy); et prov. de las Cordilleras [Weddell). 

 Fl. Sept.-Nov. [Nom. vern. "Mays del Monte," Pcepp.) 



IX. SCTBALITIM, Schott & Endl. 



1. ScTBAiiiuM FUNGIFORME, Schott & Eudl. Mclet. p. 3. t. 2. linger in Ann. Wien. 



Mus. ii. t. 2. f 4, t. 4. f. 19, 20. 

 Hab. In sylvis Brasilire 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 fUiform liau's which occru" amongst the male flowers and 

 are exserted far beyond the articulated threads, and which are probably undeveloped 

 females. The 2-ceIled ovary invariably (as it is described) followed by a one-seeded fruit, 

 is unique in the Order. 



The rhizome resembles that of Coryncea, the scaly peduncle that of Sphcerorhizon. The 

 fact of one male pedimcle being always surrounded by several females on the same rhizome 

 is unique, and does not necessitate the operation of dichogamy which occurs in Helosis. 

 Erom fig. 13 of the plate quoted, it appears that the male flowers are developed in succes- 

 sion for a considerable period. 



X. Sph^rorhizon, Hook. fU. 



Rhizoma napiforme seu depresso-globosum, solitarium. Pedunculus solitarius, curvus, squamatus, basi 

 annulo brevi rhizomatis circumdatus, junior squamis densissime imbricatis velatus, demiim elongatus, 

 squamis oblongis obtusis subpeltatis denique deciduis. Capitulum ovoideum, monoicum, squamis 

 deciduis peltatis tectum. Ftores et fila articulata Helosis, sed synemate 3-loculari apice dehiscente. 



1. Sph^rorhizon curvatxjm, Hook. fU. (Tab. X.) 



Hab. Sylvis alpinis Novae Granadae inter vicum Niva et montes Paramo de Ruiz dictis {Purdie). Fl. Jul. 



Rhizoma J-3 unc. diametr., obscure lobatum, radicibus validis sessile. Pedunculus flexuosus 1-6 uncialis, 

 validus, 5 unc. diametr., interdiim brevissimus et squamis multiseriatis patentibus densissimfe imbri- 

 catis tectus, interdiim elongatus squamis longioribus f unc. longis obtusis lata basi subpeltatim afBxis 

 laxe velatus, squam^e infra capitulum magis peltatas late adnatas basibus apicibusque truncatis sub- 



