LEGUMIN0S2E-MIM0SE2E. 



45 



ventral suture by curved clefts prolonged between the seeds so as 

 to form as many distinct cells united by the persisting dorsal suture ; 

 this is bent or twisted on itself, so that the one-seeded divisions of 



Acacia (Zygia) Sassa. 



Fig. 35. 

 Flower (f). 



Fio. 34. 

 Longitudinal section of flower. 



the same pod have all different inclinations to the horizontal. But 

 the pod never opens elastically as in Ccdliandra, and this is the 

 character, artificial indeed though it be, which suffices in practice to 

 distinguish the genus Pithecolobium. The species, about one hundred 

 in number, 1 are trees and shrubs from all warm regions, especially 

 tropical Asia and America. Their habit and inflorescence are very 

 variable. 2 



1 Walk, Rep., v. 609; Ann., i. 267; ii. 458; 

 iv. 636. 



2 These characters have heeu chiefly used to 

 subdivide this large genus into sections. The 

 fruit varies greatly in form, but with innu- 

 merable transitions between its variations. 

 Bentuam admits the seven following sections : — 



I. Samanea. — This section whose type is, as 

 indicated by its name, P. Saman Bentu. {Inga 

 Saman W., Spec, iv. 1026 ;— I. sahdaris 

 H. B. K., Nov. Gen. et Spec, vi. 304 ;— Mimosa 

 Saman Jacq., Fragm., t. 9 ; — Callicmdra 

 tubulosa Bentii.), contains twenty-five species 

 of unarmed trees with stipules ill developed or 



absent. The pinnules are indefinite in number" 

 The inflorescences are axillary, fascicled or col- 

 lected into terminal panicles. The pod is straight, 

 bowed, circinate or cochlear, coriaceous thirk and 

 indehiscent, or dehiscent without subsequent 

 distortion of the valves. The seeds are arillate. 

 (Velloz., Fl. F/tt»i.,x\. t. 21,30 (?). — T.w <».. 

 Fragm., t. 9. — K., Mimos., t. 21. — Gek 

 Fl. Bril. W. Ind., 22,")). This last author 

 makes the species of the section belong to 

 Calliandra, though the pods do not present the 

 dehiscence peculiar to that genus. 



II. Chloroleucon, — Trees unarmed or 

 sionally possessing axillary Bpines, stipules 



