E0SACE2E. 



381 



morial ; it has scaly buds, and simple alternate leaves, with lateral 

 caducous stipules. 



In Japan has been found another plant, which has been made the 

 type of a new genus, RhodotijpoH ;' its flower (fig. 443) is externally 

 that of Kerria, but differs markedly from it in internal organiza- 

 tion. It is normally constructed on the quaternary type. Its re- 

 ceptacle forms a broad shallow funnel ; on this are borne in order 

 from below upwards {I. c, from centre to circumference) the gyna?- 

 ceum, a peculiar disk, the androceum, and the perianth. The four 



Rhodotypos Jcerrioidex. 



Fig. 443. 

 Longitudinal section of flower. 



sepals are imbricated in the bud, and are accompanied by bracts 

 which form a calycle, as in Fragaria or Potentilla. The alternatino- 

 sepals are also imbricated in the bud, and resemble those of the 

 Eose. The stamens are indefinite' in number, each formed of a free 

 slender filament, and an introrse two-celled anther, dehiscing longi- 

 tudinally. They are inserted over a large area, not only on the 

 inner wall of the receptacle, but also on the outer surface of a disk, 

 which forms a sort of roof covering in the whole of the ovarian 

 portion of the gynseceum, and only allowing the larger portion of the 

 styles to traverse the opening at its apex. The carpels are four in 

 number/ superposed to the petals, and are lodged in the chamber 

 formed below by the bottom of the receptacle, and above by the singu- 

 lar disk of which we have just spoken. Each consists of a free ovary, 



1 SiEB. & Zucc, Fl. Jap., 187, t. 99. — Endl., 

 Gen., n. 6393*, Suppl., ii. 95.— B. H., Gen., 613, 

 n. 24. 



^ They are orijrinally arranged in four bundles, 

 with the youngest elements innermost. The 

 androceum may hence be considered as made up 

 of four compound staminal leaves. 



^ This is the normal number, like that of the 

 sepals or petals. But just as these may be in- 

 creased to five or six in cultivated flowers, so we 

 may find as many as seven or eight carpels col- 

 lected into a sort of head, recalling the norma 

 fruit of Ruhus. 



