70 LAUBIZABALA BITERNATA. 



and others pistils only. "When flowers of both descriptions occur in the same plant, 

 as in the Hazel, Begonia, and cucumber, they are termed monoecious ; when they 

 are found on separate plants, as in the Hemp, Aucuba japonica, and Date-palm, 

 they are dioecious ; whilst those plants in which, on the same specimen, perfect 

 flowers occur, in addition to those bearing only Btamens or pistils, are styled 

 2>ohjgamous. 



Of the Dioecious class of plants, the Lardizabala biternata is an illustration ; it is, 

 in fact, both dioecious and polygamous ; for, although the flowers of the plant 

 represented in our figure produce stamens only, those of the fertile plant, which 

 has not we believe been yet introduced to this country, yield both stamens and 

 pistils ; it differs also from the sterile plant in its owe-flowered peduncles. These 

 solitary flowers are succeeded by a many-seeded berry, which is sold in the markets 

 of Peru and Chili. The pulp is said to be sweet and grateful to the taste. 



The blossoms of the male plant are borne in drooping racemes, hanging from the 

 axil of a leaf, the peduncle or flower-stalk bearing at its base two large heart- 

 shaped bracts ; and it is remarkable that these occur at the axil of the leaf, even 

 where there is no flower-stalk. The calyx is formed of 

 six fleshy sepals, arranged in two series, three of the 

 segments being external to the others, when in the 

 bud. The calyx is the most highly coloured portion of 

 the flower, the petals being comparatively incon- 

 spicuous, and of a thin membranaceous, mealy texture. 

 The six stamens are united by their filaments into a 

 column (monadelphousj, and bear six oblong, incurved, 

 pointed, two-celled anthers, which open at the back. The annexed wood-cut repre- 

 sents the stamens and corolla three or four times the natural size. 



"With regard to the propagation of the plant, it may be effected both by cuttings 

 and layers, in any ordinary soil. It will flourish in any situation not too much 

 exposed to the sun, but appears to prefer shady places ; and as it grows rapidly, 

 its merits as a substitute for the Ivy will, doubtless, soon be universally recognized. 



In Peru, where it occurs as well as in Chili, it is called by the Indians Aguil- 

 boguil and Guilhogui ; in Chili, its native designation is Coquil-vochi. Two other 

 species are described by Botanists, L. tri-ternata and L. tri-foliata, which appear 

 to differ from the L. biternata in not producing an edible fruit. 



The plants of the order Zardizabalacece, although few in number, are all of 

 interest ; they were formerly included with the llenispermacece or Cocculus tribe, 

 to which the narcotic berry known as Cocculus indicus belongs, but are now classed 

 apart, their wflwy-seeded berries distinguishing them from the plants just referred 

 to. The Holbollias, one species of which is noticed at page 63, belong to this 

 order; and a recent introduction from Chusan, the Alebia quinata, will probably 



