310 natuEjUj history of plants. 



receptacle forms a rather deep pouch, and in its somewhat con- 

 tracted mouth is inserted the perianth. This consists of about half 

 a dozen free elongated nearly petaloid caducous leaves, imbricated in 

 a3stivation. Internal to these are the indefinite stamens, aiTanged 

 in a spiral, making several very close turns. The outermost of 

 these stamens are fertile, their number varying ; while the inner 

 ones are sterile, becoming shorter and shorter. Each fertile stamen 

 consists of a flattened filament, Literally dilated into two acute 

 membranous petaloid appendages, and of an anther with two slightly 

 introrse adnate cells, above which the connective is continued into 

 a long subulate point. Each cell opens by an oval valve, which is 

 soon uplifted ; to its hinge is attached an obtuse scaly projection 

 (iig. 359). The inner stamens have the same form, with a long 

 ligulate connective, lateral appendages, and a dilatation answering 

 to the anther ; but the deformed cells no longer contain pollen, and 

 there are no valves for dehiscence. Finally, the smallest stamens 

 are quite rudimentary, reduced to short fleshy scales, without lateral 

 appendages or terminal processes. The indefinite carpels are inserted 

 towards the bottom of the receptacular cavity. They are free, and 

 each consists of a one-celled ovary, surmounted by a linear style 

 inserted more or less on one side, covered with hairs and taper- 

 ing towards its stigmatiferous apex. In the ovary is a basilar 

 placenta supporting a nearly erect anatropous ovule, whose micro- 

 pyle looks downwards and outwards. The fruit is said to resemble 

 that of Jf/wrosperma. Of this genus only one species is known,' a 

 tree from eastern Australia, aromatic in every part. The leaves are 

 opposite, exstipulate ; and to them the flowers are axillary, in 

 bunches of biparous cymes, w^ith opposite ramifications axillary to 

 caducous bracts. 



The (;o\m^ JfkrosjK'njnr (figs. 3G0-370), which has given its name 



known. PerhiipB, too, its cliiinictcrs will have to link between the genus AlJierosperma, as we now 



l)u inoililiiil afler the Btudy of the (lowers of ii limit it, iind the genus JJoriiphora ; in ita vegc- 



i)limt which we have dcKcrihtd (Ailaiisonia, ix. tative organs it reenlls the section /.aiirelia of 



loi: pit., nolo 1) under the name of D.f I'ieil- the former genus, rather than the latter. 

 lardi, and have only referred to this genus with ' D. Susmifras V,v\)\.., lor.rit. — Wai.I'., Ann. 



some hesitation. I'erliajjs it is thet)i>e of a new iv. 120. — LiNDL., J'e</. Kbnid., ;iUO, tig. ceviii. 

 genus cliaracterized hy its canii)ylotr<i|)ous ovary. - Lauill., ^'ouv.-JJull., ii. 71, t. 22 t. — Knui.., 



KndmchkU 1ms, indeed, descrihed the insurtion Gm., n. 2(120. — Tli... Muii., -IIN, t. xxiv. — A. 



of the stylo us latt-rid aiul suhhasilar, hut has DC. I'rodr., xvi. s. jmisI , (il2, G75. — II. Hx., 



ligiiretl a rectilineal, not a ciirvi'd, ovary. Per- Adannunia, ix. 122. 

 haps the new plant in <|uestion will serve us u 



