NYMPHJEAGE2E. 



11 



lilies, consisting of four 1 unequal imbricate-decussate sepals, and an 

 indefinite number of imbricated dissimilar sepals arranged along 

 a spiral with very close turns. 2 The stamens, inserted along the 

 continuation of this spiral, are also indefinite in number, each formed 

 of a free filament and a basifixed introrse anther, with two linear 

 cells of longitudinal dehiscence, surmounted by a long nearly club- 

 shaped process of the connective. 3 Above the androceum the re- 



Nelutnbo nucifera. 



Fig. 75. 

 Flower without perianth. 



Fig. 76. 

 Long. sect, of the gyna'ceurn. 



ceptacle expands into a large inverted cone (figs. 75, 76), whose 

 upturned base is hollowed into a variable number of alveoli (from 

 five to seven), with circular mouths. Each of these includes a small 

 non-adherent carpel, formed of a unilocular ovary, surmounted by a 

 short style with exserted and capitate stigmatiferous apex." The ovary 

 has near the upper part of its back a gibbosity, 5 and contains a sub- 

 apical placenta, which gives insertion to a usually single 6 descending 



Ann. Mus., xvii. 249, t. 9.— DC, Syst., Li. 43 ; 

 Brodr., i. 113. — SpaCH, Suit, a Biiffon, vii. 

 180.— Endl., Gen., n. 5026.— B. H., Gen., 47, 

 965, n. 8.— Dcne. & Lem., Traite Gen. de Bot., 

 402.— Cyamus Sm., Exot. Bot., i. 59, t. 31, 32. 



1 More rarely five. 



3 We take the view that, as in Nymplicea, 

 they represent metamorphosed stamens. 



3 The pollen consists of oval grains with 

 longitudinal grooves (H. Mohl, in Ann. Sc. 

 Nat., ser. 2, iii. 33). When the anther cells open 

 the lips of each cell roll up, one inside, one out- 

 side. The clubs surmountinsr the connective are 



often folded inwards. Finally both these pro- 

 longations and the filaments themselves are often 

 twisted. 



4 The study of development has shown us 

 that the carpels are at first free, as in a Ranun- 

 culad, inserted on a broad depressed receptacle, 

 but later on this grows and rises up between the 

 carpels, forming by its enlargement around them 

 the wells whose mouth is occupied by the style. 



5 The top of which bears a little glandular 

 surface. 



6 Some observers have occasionally seen two 

 ovules. 



