300 



NATURAL HISTOEY OF PLANTS. 



in a fleshy sac, which, it is said, finally tears irregularly to free them ; 

 they consist of a hard, thick stone, surrounded by a thin, fleshy 

 mesocarp. The suspended seed contains within its coats a copious 

 fleshy albumen, with a small embryo towards the apex. 



As yet three species are known of this genus,' small trees from 

 the islands on the east coast of Africa. Nearly all their organs 



Monimia rotundifolia. 



Fig. 342. 

 Female flower (\''). 



Fig. 343. 



Lung, section of female 



flower. 



Fig. 341. 

 Stamen. 



are covered with a peculiar down :* the leaves are opposite, pe- 

 tiolate, exstipulate ; the flowers are grouped in branching peduncu- 

 late axillary cymes. 



'J'he flowers of Pnlinrria^ are monoecious, and nearly similar to those 

 of Mo/ilmin, especially the females, which are like a sac with a 

 narrow, thick-edged circular border, the aperture being only large 



' W., Si»c. /'Ifiiil., iv. 2. 647. — Hoj., Jforf. with u lonp terminal prolongation, all (he lateral 



3/rtar., 2H'J. — Til.., Ann. Sr. Nat., »vr. i, Vu.'.i.! ; rays reniitininp very short. Ti'I.asnk has ali«> 



Mon., 30'.).— Wam'.. Ann., iv. H8. M-e,, cystolithen in Monimia (see p. 3'22, note 1). 



" Con»iistiiig (irii.iirK, oft<'ii very nmrHe; some- » F. Mvkll., /'/•(/<//«.. iv. 152; v. 2. A. DC, 



timen Htellate with nearly etpiul rays, Hometimcs Prodr., xvi. h. poHt., G41, Go7.— H. Hn., Adan- 



iij)j)arently niniple, hut really k(.11i.i,. ut i|,,. l.iuii., aonia, ix. 115, 130. 



