Raphanocarpus.] LXiv. cucurbitaceje (hooker). 541 



the base inside ; lobes ovate or lanceolate. Petals free, spreading, ob- 

 ovate. Filaments 3-4, free, short ; anthers one 1 -celled, two 2-celled 

 with often 1 or 2 abortive anthers interposed ; cells flexuous ; connec- 

 tive broad or narrow, not produced at the apex. Rudiment of ovary 0. 

 Female fl. : Peduncle 1 -2-flowered, axillary at the base of the petiole, 

 or rarely from the same point as the male. Calyx-lobes smaller and 

 narrower than in the male, and corolla smaller. Ovary slender, fusi- 

 form, grooved, 1 -celled, cell very narrow; style short, stigma of 2 

 small rounded flattened lobes; ovules 2, remote, upper erect, lower 

 pendulous. Fruit small, slender, narrow, fusiform, terete, corky, 

 grooved, pilose, 1-celled or With 2 superimposed cells, cells 1-seeded. 

 Seeds linear-oblong, compressed, lower erect, upper pendulous ; testa 

 membranous, hyaline. — Prostrate or climbing annual herbs. Leaves 

 ovate or orbicular-cordate. Tendrils simple. Flowers deep yellow. 

 Fruit like a Raphanus pod. 



A most remarkable genus, on account of the connate peduncle and petiole of the male 

 flower, the structure of the fruit, and the erect or pendulous ovules and seeds. It is 

 chiefly allied to Momordica in floral structure, habit, and all other characters. 



1. R. Kirkii, Hook.f. in Ic. PL 1084. Stem slender, pilose. Leaves 

 membranous, orbicular- cordate, 2—3 in. long, obtusely angled or 3-5- 

 lobed, lobes acute, quite entire or obscurely toothed ; basal sinus broad 

 or narrow. Male fl. ; Peduncles very short, slender, 2-flowered, hairy ; 

 bract oblong, hairy at the fork ; pedicels slender. Calyx-lobes ovate- 

 lanceolate, J in. long, hairy ; scales at the base inside very short. 

 Corolla ljin. in diameter. Female fl. : Peduncle long, slender, some- 

 times 2-flowered. Flower much smaller than the male. Ovary very 

 slender, fusiform, pilose. Fruit 1 in. long, terete, with a long straight 

 beak. Seeds Jin. long. 



Mozamb. Distr. Between Senna and Lupata, and near Shigogo on the Shire, 

 Dr. Kirk! (with good analysis.) 



2. R. Welwitschii, Hook. f. " Annual, prostrate." (Welw.) Nearly 

 glabrous. Leaves rather coriaceous, broadly ovate-cordate, acuminate, 

 obscurely 3-lobed > obtusely toothed ; basal sinus narrow or closed. 

 Male fl. : Peduncles 1 in., glabrous, 3-5-flowered at the apex ; pedicels 

 short, pilose ; buds nodding. Calyx-lobes pilose, narrow lanceolate, 

 J in. long, gradually acuminate, scales at the- base inside prominent, 

 incurved. Corolla about 1 in. in diameter. Stamens 4, one 2-celled 

 with a 2-panite connective, the other three contiguous each 1-celled, 

 central with a broad connective surrounded by the flexuous anther- 

 cells, the two lateral much smaller, clavate, with unilateral anther- 

 cells. Female fl. : Peduncle very short. Calyx-lobes narrow, subu- 

 late. Ovary very slender, 1 in. long. Fruit not seen. 



Lower Guinea. Mossamedes, open sandy plains near the Bero river, Dr. WeU 

 witsch! One specimen only seen. 



The stamens may be more properly regarded as 2, one 2-celled, with a 2-lobed anther, 

 the other 3-celled and divided to the base into three 1-celled stamens. These three are 

 all inserted between two of the scales. 



