234 GNETACE/E. [Gymnogens. 



The opening through its apex is distinct, and its direction vertical. The second 

 envelope continues unchanged. The tubular prolongation of the additional or third 

 envelope now projects through the openings in the original coats to a considerable 

 distance. The mouth of the tube is also rather dilated, and the fringes of its margin 

 spread out irregularly and to various extents. The whole of the tubular prolongation 

 has become tinged with brown, in some cases approaching to black. It is to this stage 

 or period that the descriptions of those authors who attribute a style and stigma to this 

 genus apparently refer. Both Dr. Brown and Professor Lindley must likewise advert 

 to this period when they state the nucleus to be surrounded with three envelopes." 



There can be no doubt, then, that in reality Gnetum is as truly naked-seeded as Coni- 

 fers themselves. 



Independently of the singular organisation of its ovule, the genus Gnetum is 

 remarkable for some other peculiarities. Its seed, which resembles a drupe, has within 

 the outer fleshy integument, a layer of needle like woody tissue of a very remarkable 

 nature, freely separating when disturbed, and looking much like the hairs of Cowhage. 

 The embryo, according to Mr. Griffith, is attached to an " enormously long tortuous 

 and spirally but irregularly twisted cellular funiculus, the cells of which are much 

 elongated and twisted. Its length varies, when moderately pulled out, from 3± to 5 

 inches, the whole length of the seed being about an inch. This funicle, as well as the 

 extremely similar one of Cycas, has the property of contracting when immersed in 

 water." — MSS. p. 15. Although belonging to the same category as Conifers and Taxads, 

 the Joint Firs are very distinctly separated from them ; for they have a calyx for the 

 male flowers, and their anthers burst by pores, not longitudinally, to say nothing of the 

 peculiarities of the ovule. 



Natives of the temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and South America, and in the case 

 of Gnetum, of the hottest parts of India and Guiana. 



The interior of the pericarp of Gnetum urens is lined with stinging hairs ; the seeds 



are eaten ; the stem exudes a transparent gum, and when cut across yields an abundance 



of clear transparent tasteless water, which may be drank. — Auhl. In Amboyna the 



seeds of Gnetum Gnemon are eaten roasted, boiled, or fried, and the green leaves form 



a favourite vegetable in lieu of Spinach ; they are, however, very tasteless. — Rumph. 



The branches and flowers (Amenta Uvai maritimse, Off.) of the Asiatic Ephedras were 



formerly kept in the shops as styptics. The fruit is said to be mucilaginous, eatable, 



sub-acid, and slightly pungent. 



GENERA. 



Ephedra, Linn. 

 Gnetum, Linn. 



Thoa, AuIJ. 



Gnemon, Runiph. 



Via, Rheede. 



Numbers. Gen. 2. Sp. 15. 



Chlomrtfhacece. 

 Position. — Pinacese. — G.\etace.e. — TaxacetP. 

 Ccumarmacece. 



N.B. C. A. Meyer enumerates 21 species of Ephedra alone. Endlicher makes out 

 7 species of Gnetum. 



