2 
e genus Microcalamus, Franch., includes, besides M. barbinodis, 
7 only in the Cameroons. This species, for which the name 
. aspidistrula is proposed, is here briefly diagnosed. 
M. aspidistrula, Stapf. 
Gramen habitu generis, sed saepe quam caeterae species pies 
Foliorum vaginae firmae, diutius persistentes, infimae 2-3 lam 
destitutae, sursum accrescentes, ad 15 em. longae ; lamina lanceolate, 
acutae, basi breviter vel longiuscule attenuatae, 10-25 cm. longae, 
2-7 cm. latae, firmae, subtus tenuiter adpresse Bubeasear ton: demu 
um 
interdum glabratae, nervis ultimi ordinis 0-6-0-7 mm. 6 at lone 
7-8 mm. longae. Glumae firmae, inferior circiter 2 mm. longa, 5-T- 
nervis, superior 4 mm. wii, T-nervis. Anthoecii inferioris 3 (rarius 
neutrius) valva breviter acuminata, spicula paullo brevior, 7-nervis, 
cum m m 
a 
superioris 3g valva subcoriacea, a latere visa oblongo-lanceolata, 
tenuiter pilosa (saltem basin versus), obtusiuscule acuminata. 
West Tropica, Arrica : Cameroons; Bipindi, Zenker, 1523, 1834, 
2144, 4249, 3193; Efulen, Bates, 251. Gaboon; Sierra del Crystal, 
Mann, 1646. 
The habitus of ag curious grasses recalls that of the dwarf 
herbaceous bamboos of West Africa, e.g. Puellia, but the structure of 
greatly from that of true bamboo leaves. Microcalamus approaches 
very nearly to Ichnanthus, but it lacks the Shae gta as of the 
fertile valve so O. Sta 
hat venus 
genus, 
Fia. 1, pe ye: 2, eo 3, lower glume ; at glume ; 5, the two florets ; 
6, valve of low ¢ io ret; 7, val vule of the same w fl er; 8, valve of 
upper floret ; 9, “Walvale of the same ; 10, pistil and br All enlurged. 
