DILLENIACE^. 



107 



broad hermaphrodite flowers possess a convex receptacle on whicli 

 are successively inserted a calyx of five sepals quincuncially 

 imbricated in the bud, a corolla of five alternate petals of imbricate 

 sestivation, an indefinite number of hypogynous stamens, and a 

 gynteceum composed of numerous carpels. Each stamen consists 

 of a free filament, and a bilocular anther, the linear cells of which. 



Dillenia speciosa. 



Fig. 154. 



Longitudinal section of flower. 



adnate for their whole length to the borders of the elongated con- 

 nective, open near the summit by a cleft whicli extends downwards 

 to a variable extent.' The gyna3ceum consists of an ovary with a 

 thick central column, surrounded by from twenty to thirty cells 

 which are free only for a very short distance from the summit at 

 the inner angle, each tapering above into a narrowly lanceolate, 

 flattened style reflexed on the summit of the ovary, and stigma- 

 tiferous on its inner surface. In the internal angle of each cell is 

 seen a longitudinal placenta supporting an indetinite number of 

 anatropous ovules. The fruit is a large indehiscent berry, with a 



B. H., Gen., 13, n. 10. — H. Bn., in Adansonia, 

 vi. 281 ; vii. 93, t. iii. — Songium Kumph., Herb. 

 Amh., ii. t. 45, 46. — SyaUia H. M., ex Adans , 

 Fam., ii. 304. 



' We liave seen in Dillenia the antliers open- 

 ing by two clefts near the summit which after- 

 wards spread downwards. In Wormia, on the 

 contrary, it is generally .stated that the dehisconce 

 of the anther is biporricidal. This is too absolute 



an assertion for several reasons : first, because 

 there are species of IVormia in which the de- 

 hiscence is by an opening at the summit connnon 

 to both cells (fij;. 157) ; and secondly, because 

 the openings called pores are sliort dctts in the 

 species from Madagascar, and may bo pro- 

 longed for a variable distance downwards to- 

 wards the base of the anther, as in DilUiiia 

 projjcr. 



