132 Mr. J. Miers on Diclidanthera. 



seed is oval and compressed : the external tunic, which becomes 

 black in drying, is covered with a white retrorse pubescence : 

 the intermediate tunic is somewhat coriaceous and of a red 

 colour, polished, and free from the outer tunic in the fresh state, 

 but becomes intimately agglutinated to it in drying ; it is marked 

 by a distinct hilar scar at its summit when fresh, and by a cha- 

 lazal areole at its base : the inner integument is white and 

 membranaceous. The embryo is of the breadth, and |ths of 

 the length of the fleshy albumen by which it is enveloped ; the 

 cotyledons are large, nearly orbicular, slightly cordate at their 

 base, thin, foliaceous, veined, and of a greenish colour in the 

 living state ; the radicle is short and terete, and nearly touches 

 the summit. This embryo is described and figured by Von 

 Martius as being very minute, in the summit of the albumen : 

 this is certainly an error, originating probably in the seeds 

 examined by him being in an immature state. It should be 

 observed that this structure resembles that of the seeds of Ru- 

 lingia, Commersonia , Ahroma, Guazuma, and of all the Lasio- 

 petalece and Hermannie<je. 



From these several points of structure, it is evident that 

 Diclidanthera bears little relation towards the Ebenacece, Styra- 

 cea, or Polyyalacea, as suggested by botanists ; for though it 

 has some features approaching the latter family, it is totally 

 distinct from it in the great symmetry of all its parts and the 

 structure of its stamens. The facts above described show its 

 near affinity to Biittneriacece, among which family the genus 

 Philippodendron presents many points of close analogy to that 

 under consideration : it exhibits in an equal degree perfect 

 symmetry in its parts ; the monadelphous tube of the stamens 

 is agglutinated to the corolla ; its sessile anthers, double in 

 number to the petals, burst transversely into two valves; a 

 single ovule is suspended from the angle in the summit of each 

 cell of the ovary; it has a simple style and a clavate stigma. 

 The pedicels of the flowers of Diclidanthera also have each three 

 very deciduous bracts at their base, and are articulated upon as 

 many glands, as frequently observed in Biittneriece ; and its ligu- 

 liform petals exhibit the contorsive imbrication of their margins, 

 which is so marked a feature in that family. We may further 

 add to these points of approximation the analogy of its stipules, 

 which offer so marked a feature in that order; they are present 

 in Diclidanthera, although very deciduous, and they are accom- 

 panied by peculiar persistent glands. From the Philippodendrefe, 

 through Diclidanthera, there is a more perfect transition-link 

 between Battneriacece and SterculiacefP, especially with the tribe 

 Myrodiece, with which our genus has several characters in 

 common. 



