Mr. J. Miers on the Bignoniacese. 267 



One of the m^st important features that serve to mark the 

 genera of the BignoniacecE exists in the form and development 

 of the fruit ; but unfortunately this is rarely available, as few 

 cabinet specimens present this test; indeed, in some genera the 

 fruit is quite unknown, and I am glad to be able to supply this 

 desideratum in several cases. 



The anther-lobes, in most instances, are divaricated to their 

 utmost extent, when, from the mutual incurvature of the fila- 

 ments, the lobes stand in a vertical position and at right angles 

 with the filaments ; the two lobes of each pair are thus brought 

 into juxtaposition, as in the Gesneracea : sometimes, as in Tt/n- 

 anthus, the anther-lobes, fixed at right angles upon the apex of 

 the filaments, are suddenly curved upwards. In several in- 

 stances the filaments are nearly straight, and the anther-lobes, 

 although free in their whole length, are parallel and pendent 

 from the summit of the filament; this occurs in the genera 

 Pyrostegia, Dolichandra, Cybistax, Salpingophora, Astianthus, 

 Calosanthes, MiUingtonia, Catophractes, and Rhigozum, and is a 

 constant and valid generic character. In some few genera the 

 anther-lobes are sagittately divergent. The glandular summit 

 of the filament (connective), to which the anther-lobes are at- 

 tached by their apex, is often excurrent and mucronate, some- 

 times extended into one or two membranaceous appendages, and 

 at other times pilose ; but these expansions are not always 

 constant in the same group, and I have not considered their 

 deficiency to be of any generic value. The anther-lobes, as a 

 general rule, are glabrous, but in some instances they are cilio- 

 late or pilose in the same group where others are glabrous ; this 

 feature, therefore, cannot be held to be of sufficient importance 

 for purposes of generic distinction. An exception to this rule 

 has been maintained in the extensive genus Lundia, which may 

 always be recognized from all others by its densely pilose an- 

 thers; but this, notwithstanding, is an artificial character; for 

 by its adoption we find a considerable deviation from one com- 

 mon form in the calyx, corolla, and stamens in several species 

 which, but for this character, would be referable to other genera. 



The anther-lobes are fleshy on the dorsal face, and formed in 

 front of a very delicate membrane, where they open by a longi- 

 tudinal suture, the two margin's of which are greatly thickened. 

 In cabinet specimens these margins often separate from the de- 

 caying membrane, and stand out like aristae, for which they have 

 been mistaken by some botanists. 



There are several other points of structure in the Bignoniaceo! 

 which merit attention ; but enough has been said for the purpose 

 here intended, of calling the attention of botanists to the study 

 of this interesting family. I will now therefore proceed to par- 



18* 



