Mr. J. Miers on the genus Cathedra. 458 



cupuliform disk, which is quite free both from the calyx and the 

 ovarium, and in its remarkably thick fleshy petals with a tuft of 

 long stiff hairs in the centre, and which are quite valvate in sestiya- 

 tion, whereas in Myrsine they are thin in texture, and in aestivation 

 are always more or less imbricated. M. A. DeCandolle, in his 

 * Prodi-omus,' viii. p. 93, states, however, that they are valvate in 

 M. variabilis and M. Paulensis, contrary to the usual structure of 

 the genus ; but I find in the latter species, as also in M. Rapanea, 

 and I believe in all the Brazihan genera, that the constantly thin 

 margins of the petals always slightly overlap each other, espe- 

 cially towards the apex : I was at one time, in like manner, mis- 

 taken on this point, but on examining the buds with more atten- 

 tion, I satisfied myself in regard to the fact in question. 



The somewhat bilobed tetragonous anthers in Cathedra consist 

 of four cells quadrately placed around a central connective, and 

 formed of thick crystalline walls, composed of numerous long 

 transverse cellules or hollow cylinders, closed at both ends, 

 forming a honeycombed textm-e, and which are all arranged in 

 a radiating series around each of the four pollen-cells, so that 

 the external surface of the anther is thus reticulated or rather 

 bullated with the small hexagonoid convexities of the ends of the 

 cellules. Hence, at first sight, there does not appear any pro- 

 vision for the escape of the pollen, but there may be perceived at 

 length in the summit, four small circular depressions or spots, 

 corresponding with the apex of the pollen-cells, which are not open 

 pores, but appear cancellated, as if the ends of the cellules, form- 

 ing their covering, had there become dissolved, leaving a sieve- 

 like screen over the cells, through the meshes of which, it may be 

 inferred, that the fertilizing particles escape by a kind of endos- 

 mose, and are conveyed by the villous tuft of long haii-s belong- 

 ing to the petals, and that overhang the anthers, to the stigma, 

 which they embrace. I have examined at least 200 or 300 an- 

 thers, invariably with the same result, even after they have fallen 

 away with the petals, and that they were not sterile is proved by 

 the anther-cells being filled with perfect pollen-grains. I have re- 

 marked that the cellules of the anther -casing, when broken under 

 water, exude an oily substance, and it is probable that this may 

 find its way into the pollen-cells and assist in the escape of the 

 fertilizing particles in the manner I have just described. After 

 each anther has discharged its pollen, the walls collapse upon the 

 vacant spaces, and it then assumes the appearance of being 2- 

 lobed, and as if each lobe had burst by a longitudinal line of de- 

 hiscence ; but if the whole anther in this state be cut across and 

 moistened, it will resume its original shape and display the four 

 separate empty cells in a very distinct manner. Much analogy 

 will be found to exist in this structure to that of the anthers of 



