LEG UM TNOSsE- C2ESALPINIEJE. 



93 



this receptacle supports a calyx of four sepals imbricated in the bud 

 (fig. 67). The posterior sepal really represents two of the true calyx- 

 leaves, being inserted right under the vexillary petal, which is alto- 

 gether covered by the two lateral petals in the bud. The two anterior 

 petals often remain rudimentary. The androceum, also inserted in the 

 mouth of the receptacular tube, consists of ten diadelphous stamens. 



Amherstia nobilis. 



Fig. 65. 

 Flower (i). 



Fig. 66. 



Longitudinal section of flower. 



The nine anterior are united below into a broad trough-like sheath. 

 The free parts of the filaments are very unequal in length ; the five 

 alternipetalous being very long, and the four others very short in 

 proportion. Each bears an introrse two-celled anther of longitudinal 

 dehiscence. This is also the case with the tenth stamen, superposed 

 to the vexillary petal and standing free on the posterior side of 

 the flower. The gyiiEeceum consists of a shortly stipitate ovary, 

 inserted very obliquely on the vexillary wall of the receptacle 

 (fig. G6), and surmounted by a slender style, involute in the bud, 

 ending in a little stigmatiferous head. On the posterior wall of the 

 ovary is seen the placenta, which bears an indefinite number oi 

 obliquely descending ovules in two vertical rows, with their micro- 



