E0SAGE2E. 



3-45 



the older leaves, and bear towards tlie extremity the young alternate 

 pinnate leaves, crowded together and at a distance recalling those of 

 the Service-tree, with the base of the petiole dilated into a broad 

 incomplete sheath, continuous on each side with a large membranous 



Brayera abyssinica. 



Fig. 389. 

 Male flower. 



Fig. 3'JO. 

 Loni^itudlnal section of male flower. 



Fig. 391. 

 Female flower. 



Fig. 392. 

 Longitudinal section of female flower. 



stipule. The flowers are in enormous much-ramified clusters of cymes, 

 axillar}^ to the leaves, or terminating the branches. The secondary 

 axes of the inflorescence arise from alternate bracts, which, in the 

 lower part of what is called the panicle, become more and more 

 like leaves, and may even, though smaller, be quite compound 

 like them (fig, 888). Each flower is accompanied by two or three 

 bractlets inserted below the base of its receptacle. 



Despite the controversy that has arisen from the dilFerent interpre- 

 tations given to the various parts of the flower in the genera we shall 

 now review, it is convenient to admit, with several contemporary 

 observers, that m the Alchemils' (Fr., AhltimUles — figs. 393-390) the 

 stamens take the place hitherto occupied by the petals. These plants 

 have hermaphrodite or polygamous flowers. In the former the recep- 

 tacle forms a sac, widely open above, where the thickened edge of the 



' Alchemilla T., Instit., 508, t. 289.— L., 87.— Spacit, Suit, a Buffon, i. 483.-1)0., 



Gen., 165.— Adans., Fam. des PL, ii. 294. — J., Prodr., ii. 589.— Endl., Gen., n. (JSyo.— Pavkk, 



Oen., 337.— G^ERTN., Fnict., i. 31(5, t. 73.— 0/7/«»o/;., 509, t. ci., flgs. 25- 10.— 15. \\.,Gen., 



Lamk., Did., i. 277; Suppl., i. 2S5 ; 111., t. HG, (;21,n.50. 



