286 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PL.iXTS. 



come other larger, more membranous, petaloid leaves, yellowish or 

 whitish, and sweet-scented ; then others again, a little smaller, but 

 quite as thin and delicate, stained with violet purple.' So we reach 

 the orifice of the receptacular depression, wliere severaP stamens are 

 inserted, with free filaments and extrorse two-celled anthers. Below 

 and within these — that is, nearer the organic apex of the receptacle — 



Chimonanthua pracox. 



Fio. 315. 

 Longitudinal section of flower (*) 



Fio. 317. 

 Transverse section of seed. 



we find sterile tongues, presenting a transition between the stamens 

 and the carpels.^ The latter, few in number and grouped near this 

 apex, towards the bottom of the receptacular cup, are free, and con- 

 structed like those of C.floridns. Of the two ovules that each con- 

 tains, one is more or less completely abortive. The one which alone 

 becomes perfect has its micropyle looking downwards and outwards. 

 If to these characters we add that the flowers of C. pracox appear 

 in winter before the leaves are developed (fig. 314), it will be seen 

 why tliis species and its varieties have been erected into a special 

 genus under the name of ('/linioiiant/uis* The receptacular sac is 



• But it irt iiniKJKsible to say where tlie sepals 

 end und the ixttaU bej^iii, for we find every triinsi- 

 tion in form, consistency, luid colour between tlio 

 brownish scales, Hie yellow leaves, sind those tinte<l 

 with i)uri)le ; even one or two of the outer stamens 

 may become jmrlly jietuloiil. 



' Five is by fur the most \isual tuimlHT. 



' There are nnuiilly from .'> to H ; their form 

 is subiilat4*, ami tlicy are solid ; no (loul)t re- 

 |)r(!s*.'ntiiig sterile Jllaments, not outer carpels 

 wanting the ovarian cavity ; for they are inserted 

 quite close to the fertile stamens, not far from the 



rim of the receptacle ; while there is a larpo space 

 between their insertion and that of the car|M-!<*, 

 which is close to the bottom of the rcceptjuulur 

 cup. 



* LiSDL., Bo(. Rfg.,t. \f>\.—m\, Prodr., iii. 

 2. — Kndi-., Gen., n. 0:155. — Si'ach, ShU. a Huff., 

 iv. 285. 11. 11.. Uen., Ki, n. 1'.— 11. Hn.. Ad,ins., 

 ix. 121, Vil. - Mertitla Nkks, .Vor. Act. Sat. 

 Cur., \\. lt>7, t. 10. Thoujjh several s{>ccies of 

 this {;enns have been deccrilMnl under the n.inies 

 of C. parviflonm, (jraiuliflorus, rem*, lutetis (ste 

 IliKi.AWSki, •' Siir If /;. ChimonanthuH et *<t prop. 



