Pothos.] AROIDE^E. 345 



and exceedingly variable both in the absolute and relative size and breadth of the petiole and 

 lamina. The common Hongkong variety is precisely the Chinese one ligured in the plate 

 above quoted. 



7. ACORUS, Linn. 



"Flowers hermaphrodite, in a cylindrical spike, the spatha linear and contiini- 

 ous with the scape. Perianth of 6 concave scales or segments. Stamens 6, 

 opposite the segments. Filaments linear, flat. Anthers temiinal. Ovary 3- 

 celled, with several ovules in each cell. Stigma sessile on the obtuse top. 

 Seeds albuminous. 



A genus probably limited to the following species, and to one other closely allied but 

 much smaller one, a native of China and Japan, but not found in Hongkong. 



1. A. Calamiis, Linn. ,- Kiinth, Enum.m. 87. A hiti^dy aromatic reed- 

 like perennial, with a thick shortly creeping rhizome. Leaves linear, erect, in 

 some specimens only 1 ft., in others 2 to 3 ft. long, and from ^ to ^ in. 

 broad. Scape as variable in length, the linear leaf-like spatha sometimes 

 scarcely exceeding the spike, in other specimens a foot long or more. Spike 

 1|- to 3 in. long, of a yellowish green. — A. Calamus, and probably the 6 

 following species in Schott, Prod. Aroid. 578. 



Common in watercourses at Little Hongkong, Et/re ; in a ravine of ^Slount Victoria, Wil- 

 ford ; also Wright and Ilance, both the large and the small states. Extends over Euroj)e, 

 central and temperate Asia, and N. America. Frequent in gardens in India, and wild in the 

 northern mountainous districts. 



OnDER CYII. HAIADE^. 



Plowers usually proceeding from a small sheatliing bract. Perianth none, 

 or of 4 small scale-like segments. Stamens 1, 2, or 4. Ovaries either of 2 

 or 4 distinct carpels, each with a single ovule and a separate stigma, or single, 

 with 1 ovule and 2 to 4 stigmas. Fruit of 1, 2, or 4 seed-like nuts, each 

 with 1 seed, without albumen. — Aquatic floating or submerged herbs. Leaves 

 either sheathing at the base or accompanied by slieathing stipules, alternate or 

 rarely opposite. Flowers axillary, inconspicuous, solitary or s]nked. 



An Order not numerous in species, but abundantly diifused over all parts of the world, in 

 shallow seas as well as in fresh-waters. 



1. K-AIAS, Willd. 



Flowers unisexual. Perianth none. Male flowers consisting of a single 

 nearly sessile anther, enclosed in a little tubular membranous bract. Female 

 flowers a single ovaiy, sessile in the sheathing base of the leaf, with 2 to 4 

 subulate stigmas or style-branches. Fruit a small seed-like luit. Kiubryo 

 straight. — Submerged plants. Leaves opposite or tcrnate, often crowded in 

 clusters, usually serrulate. Flowers axillary. 



A genus of few species, widely dispersed over the greater part of the globe. 



1. r^. minor, AIL; Kiinth, Emm. iii. 113. Leaves narrow-linear, usually 

 opposite, |- to 1 in. long, with minute serratures, the sheath short and toothed. 

 Flowers monoDcious, solitary, or 2 or 3 together in the same axil, with 1 or 



