8AXIFBAGAGEM. 



353 



The flowers form terminal ramified racemes ; the pedicel of each 

 flower bears lower down numerous alternate bracts. 



In Polyosma? the receptacle forms an elongated sac with a narrow 

 mouth, around which are inserted a short four-toothed calyx, four 

 long valvate petals, and four alternate epigynous stamens with two- 

 celled anthers. The inferior one-celled ovary contains two multiovu- 

 late placentas, and is surmounted by a simple style with a stigmati- 

 ferous apex. The fleshy fruit contains only a single seed, whose thick 

 fleshy albumen lodges a small embryo near its apex. Some half- 

 score species of Polt/osma are known, 2 trees from the warm regions of 

 South and East Asia, and Oceania. Their leaves are opposite or 

 alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, simple, entire or toothed, some- 

 times like those of a Holly. The flowers form large terminal racemes, 

 or more rarely they are solitary. Underneath the receptacle are 

 inserted two lateral bracts. 



Itea 3 (figs. 409, 41 0) has regular hermaphrodite flowers. On the 

 shallow cup- shaped receptacle, lined by a layer of glandular tissue, 

 are inserted five sepals, imbricated, or narrow and early ceasing to 



Itea virginica. 



Fig. 409. 

 Flower (\ ). 



Fig. 410. 

 Long. sect, of flower. 



touch, and five alternate petals, narrow and valvate. There are also 

 five free stamens, superposed to the sepals, with introrse two-celled 



1 Bl., Bijdr., 658 ; Mus. Lugd.-Bat., i. 258, 

 t. 57.— Endl., Gen., n. 4678 '.— B. H„ Gen., 

 647, n. 48. 



2 Benn., PI. Jav. Ear., 196, t. 40.— Hook. f. 

 & Thoms., in Journ. Linn. Soc., ii. 77. — Benth., 

 Fl. Austral., ii. 438. — F. Muell., Fragm., vi. 

 189.— Waxp., Rep., ii. 379. 



3 L., Gen., n. 275.— J., Gen., 159 — GiEKTN., 



VOL. III. 



Fruct., iii. 142, t. 209.— Lamk., Diet., Suppl. 

 iii. 190; 111., t. 147.— DC, Frodr., iv. 6.— 

 Spach, Suit, rt Fuffon, v. 34. — Hook. f. & 

 Thoms., in Jovrn. Linn. Soc., loc. cit. — Exdl., 

 Gen., n. 4677.— B. H., Gen., 647, n. 47.— 

 Diconangia Michel., Gen., 5. — Adans., Fam. 

 des FL, ii. 165 (ex Ekdl.). 



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