30 Mr. J. Miers on some genera of the Icacinaceae. 



the surface for the fibula is less triangular ; the posterior portion 

 is wider, with a less deep groove for the flexor longus poUicisj 

 the surfaces for the os calcis with the deep groove are much as 

 in Man. 



There are also a few carpal, metacarpal, and phalangeal bones 

 of the fingers and toes ; the metacarpal bones are long and curved 

 inwards, with large lower articulating surfaces ; the bones of the 

 fingers have their edges much tui-ned under on the anterior sur- 

 face, for the protection of the vessels, &c. in the act of climbing. 



The height of this specimen must have been nearly 5^ feet, 

 and the breadth of the shoulders, judging from the scapulse and 

 ribs, 2 feet at least, and probably more. The hands extend a 

 little below the knees ; the abdomen, judging from the iliac 

 fossae, must be nearly 2 feet wide ; the lower extremities much 

 bowed. 



Boston, May 11, 1852. . 



VI. — On some genera of the Icacinacese. By John Miers, 

 Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. 



[Continued from vol. ix. p. 492.] 



Stemonurus. 



There can exist no doubt that the genus Stemonurus, proposed 

 by Professor Blume in his 'Bijdragen' in 1826, is the same as 

 the Gomphandra of Dr. Wallich, although they have hitherto 

 been considered as distinct ; but at the same time there is every 

 reason to conclude, that both are again identical with the La- 

 sianthera of Pal. de Beauvois, established as far antecedently as 

 1805, in his 'Flora Owariensis,' and placed by DeCandoUe in 

 his ' Prodromus ' (i. p. 636) as a doubtful genus of the Ampe- 

 lidce : in such case, the latter name, on account of its priority, 

 ought to claim the preference. As however it is contrary to the 

 rules of science to form a compound generic term from both 

 Greek and Latin roots, the name would necessarily require to be 

 modified into Lasiandra, one that has long been preoccupied. 

 Besides this, we have to consider the confusion likely to arise 

 from increasing a list of consimilar names, already too numerous, 

 as Lasiandra, Lasianthaa, Lasiantha, Lasianthus, and Lasianthera, 

 and also, that in reality the latter name is untenable, because of 

 the incorrectness of its signification, for in the present case it 

 will be seen, that it is not the anther, but the filament which is 

 villous. For all these reasons, 1 strongly recommend the pre- 

 ference to be given to Stemonurus, the next in priority, as the 

 most appropriate designation of this genus. 



