Modecca.] lxiii. passif-lore2e (masters). 515 



glaucous. Leaves alternate, petiolate, subcordate at the base, palmately 

 5-lobed, lobes unequal, oblong", sub-oval, obtuse, entire or sublobu- 

 late, especially the central lobe, sinuses obtuse, glabrous, glaucous, 

 with one large gland at the base of the limb on the upper surface, and 

 a verv small one at the base of each sinus ; tendrils simple. Male 

 fl. : forming a thick, cylindrical, axillary spike. 



Nile Land. Abyssinia, Schvmper. 



Only known from Richard's description above translated. Hochstetter proposed that 

 it should be made the type of a new genus, Podiotheca. 



5. M. Kirkii, Mast. A herbaceous climbing plant, with slender, 

 flexuose, angular, furrowed branches. Leaves membranous, covered 

 on both surfaces with reddish, glandular dots, and with sessile glands 

 in the axils of the nerves on the under surface, deeply 5-7-lobed, 

 lobes linear-oblong, obtuse, irregularly pinnately divided, the median 

 lobe largest, the basal lobes directed towards the stem. Petiole 1 in. 

 or more in length, less than half the length of the blade, thickened 

 and decurrent at the base for a short distance along the stem, and pro- 

 vided at its apex with two large glands on the upper surface. Tendrils 

 thickened at the end. Peduncle axillary, slender, terete, longer than 

 the adjoining leaf, bearing at the top a much-branched, many-flowered 

 cyme, the central branch of which ends in a tendril. Male fl. : 

 Flower-buds elliptic. Pedicels slender, longer than the flowers. Calyx 

 funnel-shaped, about \ in. long ; limb 5-parted, segments imbricate, 

 oblong, obtuse, thinner at the edges where overlapped. Petals emerg- 

 ing from below the centre of the calyx-tube, membranous, 3-nerved, 

 crenulate at the edges. Filaments monadelphous ; anthers protruding 

 beyond the mouth of the calyx, basifixed, about the same length as the 

 filaments, linear ; connective only slightly prolonged. Staminodes or 



f lands of the disk 5, short, liguliform, capitate, enclosed in mem- 

 ranous pouches formed by petaloid processes extending from the 

 edges of the petals to the staminal tube. Pistil rudimentary. Female 



fl ? 



Mozamb. Distr. Zanzibar, Dr. Kirk! 



6. M. stricta, Mast. An erect branching herbaceous plant, 2-4 ft. 

 high, with cylindrical, sulcate- striate, hispidulous, flstular branches. 

 Leaf-stalks 2-3 in. long, terete, sulcate above, with two sessile glands 

 at the apex ; leaves cordate at the base, deeply palmately 5-lobed, 

 lobes oblong-spathulate, sinuate denticulate, hispid, nerves prominent 

 on the upper surface. Stipules minute, linear-subulate, deciduous. 

 Tendrils axillary, hispidulous, floriferous in the centre. Flowers. . . ? 

 Fruit-stalks axillary, 1-2 in. long, cylindrical, supporting an ovoid 

 scarlet fleshy berry, 2-3 in. long, encircled at the base by the persistent 

 remnants of the calyx. Seeds numerous, compressed, pitted, arillate. 

 Cotyledons flat ; radicle directed to the hilum ; albumen horny. 



Mozamb. Distr. Zambesi, Tette, Dr. Kirk I Murchison falls, Dr. Meller I 

 Apparently a distinct species, though the flowers are not known. Though described 

 as erect, it is supported by its tendrils, which cling to the branches of adjacent bashes. 



