BANUNCULACEJE. 



15 



inflorescence, ceasing to grow after the death of tlie flowers ; it 

 remains truncated ; its evolution is finished. But in the axils of the 

 leaves or bracts of this axis are developed shoots, which are larger 

 according as they rise higher up the stem. These shoots are in turn 

 destined in following years to end in inflorescences, and their axes 

 will then develope adventitious roots to nourish them. So, too, 

 it is in the axils of the appendices of these axes that will appear the 

 shoots of a subsequent generation. Thus, on examining a plant 

 which has flowered for several years, we find the floral peduncles 

 grouped on a small branch which serves as a common support. This 

 bears at its base alternate imbricate scales 

 which represent sheathing petioles, with 

 sometimes a rudimentary blade, or else more 

 rarely near the base we may find a true leaf 

 with its sheath and petiole, and its blade 

 formed of free leaflets, as often occurs in this 

 species.' 



Near Helhborus are placed Eranfhis and 

 Copiis, which, it appears to us, should not 

 be generically separated from it, as the de- 

 tailed analysis of their flowers will show. 



Helleborus hyemalis L." (figs. 32, 33), 

 which has been taken as the type of the 

 genus Eranthis;' lias a petaloid perianth 

 consisting of two 

 trimerous whorls, 

 the leaves of 

 which are alter- 

 nate., or more 

 rarely, twisted in 

 aestivation. The 

 androceum is 

 composed of a 



Fig. 33. 



Helleborus hyemalis. 



Longitudiiuil section of flower. 



Fig. 32. 

 Flower. 



' The developmentof tlie leaves of the Hellebores 

 has been studied by M. TRficuL {Ann. Sc. Nat., 

 ser. 3, XX. 260, 268, t. 23), who considers them as 

 pahniveined leaves, very deeply lobed, and passiiip^ 

 into palmate leaves properly so called ; their evolu- 

 tion is basipetal or centrifugal. Clos comparing? 

 the sepals with the bracts {Bull. Soc. Bot., 



iii. 682), considers them as the sheaths of 

 leaves. 



- Spec, 783.— DC, 8j/st., i. 311.— 7/. nij/er 

 iuherosns Itanunculi folio Jlore luteo T., //«/., 

 272. — If. vio)i(rnllius'Ma-:scn. — Koellea htfemalis 

 liiu. — Hohertia hyemalis Mi:k. 



' Uranthis Salisb., Trans. Linn. Sor., viii. 



