430 



XCVI. MELASTOMACE^E. 



Kibessia. 



Flower-bud raising its 

 calyx. 



Kibes.ia. 

 Flower. 



Kibessia. 



Vertical section of andracluiu 

 and pistil. 



Kibessia. 



Transverse section of 

 ovary (mag.). 



terminal, 2-celled, pendulous before flowering, and sunk in the spaces separating 

 the ovary from the receptacular cupule, globose, ovoid or elongate ; cells parallel, 

 generally opening at the top (often prolonged into a beak) by a common pore, or by 

 2 distinct pores, rarely by longitudinal slits (Kibessia) ; connective polymorphous, 

 not prolonged below the anther and without appendages (Pyramid), prolonged 

 below the anther and without appendages (Spennera), prolonged below the 

 anther with anterior appendages (Melastoma) , not prolonged below the anther, 

 but furnished with posterior appendages (Huberia). OVARY quite free, adhering to 

 the nerves of the receptacular cup, or completely adherent ; cells 4-5, rarely 6-20, 

 or one only (Memecylon) ; style simple ; stigma undivided ; ovules numerous [rarely 

 few], anatropous or semi-anatropous. FRUIT with usually axile placeutation, or 

 parietal (Kibessia), or basilar (Naudinia), of 1-20 cells ; sometimes a berry from the 

 development of the receptacular cupule, indehiscent or ruptile (Astronia) ; sometimes 

 a drupe (Mouriria), sometimes dry and indehiscent, sometimes a loculicidal capsule 

 with semi-septiferous valves, the placentas frequently remaining united into a 

 central column (Melastoma). SEEDS numerous, testa crustaceous, dotted or areolate, 

 sometimes reniform or cochleate ; sometimes ovoid, oblong, angular, pyramidal or 

 scobiforin (Huberia), rarely margined (Castanella) ; hilum basilar. EMBRYO exal- 

 buminous, straight or curved ; cotyledons equal, or the outer much the larger in the 

 irregularly formed seeds ; radicle next the hilum. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 



Blakea. * Medinilla. * Osbeckia. * Melastoum. * Pleroma. Monochaetum. 



* Rhexia. * Sonerila. * Bertolonia. * Ikhyncbauthora. * Centradenia. 



[The following classification of this most extensive order is that of the ' Genera 

 Plantarum.' 



SUB-ORDER I. MELA8TOMEJ3. 



Ovary 2-oo -celled ; ovules numerous, inserted on placentas which project from the inner 

 angle of the cells. Fruit polyspermous. Seeds minute ; embryo very minute. 

 Series I. Fruit usually capsular. Stamens unequal. 



TRIBE I. MICROLICIE.S. Connective produced at the base, appendaged in front. Seeds 

 oblong or ovoid (American). Pyramid, Cambessedesia, Chtvtostoma, M'icrolicia, Lewoiriera, 



&c. 



