Tropseolum pentaphyllum of Lamarck. 13 



their habit, opposite leaves, and terminal inflorescence, I am not disposed to 

 admit that there exists any relationship between them*. 



The Tmptvolew, consisting of Tropceolum, Magallana, and the genus now under 

 consideration, form a small group peculiar to South America, and, as far as we 

 yet know, to the portion of that continent included between the 10th and 48th 

 degrees of S. latitude. The three genera are chiefly distinguished by their fruit, 

 for as far as regards the structure of the flower they are pretty much alike. 



I shall now proceed to give the essential character and a detailed descrip- 

 tion of the genus. 



CHYMOCARPUS. 



Trop^olt sp. Auctt. 



Syst. Linn. Octandria Monogynia. 



Ord. Nat. Trop^ole^, Juss. 



Char, essknt. Calycis cestivatio valvata. Petala 2. Pericarpium baccatum ! 



Descr. Calyx monophyllus, 5-fidus, subbilabiatus ; lahio superiore trilobo, 

 basi calcarato : lohis ovatis, subsequalibus, sestivatione valvatis ! Petala 2, 

 minima, in labio superiore, spathulata, integerrima. Stamina 8, hypogyna, 

 insequalia : Jilamenta subulata, basi dilatata : antherce obtusae, tetragonae, 

 biloculares : locidis parallelis, connatis, turgidis : valvulis distinctis, invo- 

 lutis, septum constituentibus (subinde antherse quasi 4-loculares !) demilm 

 longitudinaliter solutis. Ovarium triloculare : ovulis solitariis, appensis. 

 Stylus triqueter, glaber. Stigma tridentatum : dentibus subulatis, recur- 

 vis. Fructus : bacca sapida, tricocca : coccis monospermis, abortu seep^ 

 solitariis, subglobosis, leevibus. 

 Herba (Bonariensis) scandens, radice tiiberosd, perenni. Caules^liformes, glabri, 

 purpara.sceiites. Folia alfenia,petiolata, quinato-partita : segmentis elliptico- 

 obhngis, obsolete 7nucr(mulatis, integemmis, membranaceis, subtits glaucis, 

 venis atroptirpureis, pollicaribus, basi angustatd substipitatis ; intermediis 

 longiorihus. Vei\o\iJiliformes, glabri, bipollicares, virides, plerumque fiexu^ 



* Since these obseirations were written, I have seen a learned memoir by Professor Keeper of Basle, 

 intitled, " De floribus et affinitatibus Balsaminearum," in which that acute botanist has also noticed the 

 striking analogies between the Hippocastanea and Tropaolea. The latter family he follows Jussieu and 

 others in placing near to the Geraniacece. 



