376 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



The two known species 1 are Australian glabrous shrubs, with 

 opposite simple leaves, and small caducous stipules, or none at all. 



Besides Aphanopetalum, three monotypic genera must be placed 

 close to Ceratopetalum, only distinguishable therefrom by the varying 

 depth of the receptacle, the form of the petals when present, and the 

 consistency of the fruit. First comes Anodopetalum glandulosum? a 

 Tasmanian tree, with simple opposite leaves. This has 4-5-merous 

 flowers, a valvate calyx, linear petals, a diplostemonous androceum 

 inserted under a disk surrounding the dimerous gynaeceum, and a 

 fleshy one-seeded fruit. Next comes Schizomeria ovata* a tree from 

 New South Wales, which has also opposite simple leaves. It has 

 pentamerous flowers, with ill developed dentate petals, and a free 

 ovary like that of Anodopetalum, with two quadriovulate cells, and a 

 drupaceous fruit with a one-seeded stone. Plati/lophus trifoliatus* a 

 South African tree, has nearly the same flower, tetra- or pentamerous, 

 with a bifid capsular fruit, the valves separating from the placenta 

 at maturity, and opposite trifoliolate leaves accompanied by little 

 caducous stipules. Perhaps these three plants might strictly be 

 made into only sections of a single genus. 



Caldcluvia 5 has flowers strongly recalling those of both Anodopetalum 

 and Weinmannia, with a shallow receptacle, four or five valvate sepals, 

 as many small alternating petals, and a diplostemonous androceum. 

 The stamens are free, with introrse two-celled anthers ; they alternate 

 with as many glands. The gyna3ceum is free, and like that of 

 Weinmannia. The same applies to the fruits, whose numerous seeds 

 have a lax membranous outer coat ; and the embryo is surrounded by 

 fleshy albumen. C. paniculata, 6 the only known species of the genus, 

 is a Chilian shrub ; its leaves are opposite simple petiolate, with 



: F. Muell., Fragm., i. 228. — Benth., Fl. 

 Austral., ii. 4±1. — Walp., Ann., v. 29 (Platy- 

 ptelea). 



2 A. Cunn., inss. ex Endl., Gen., n. 4654. — 

 B. H., Gen., 652, n. 64.— Benth., Fl. Austral., 

 ii. 440.— F. Muell., Fragm., vi. 189. — Hook, f., 

 Fl. Tasm., i. 148. — Weinmannia biglandulosa 

 A. Cunn., in Hook. Icon., 301. 



3 D. Don, in Fdinb. N. Phil. Journ., ix. 94. — 

 Endl., Gen., n. 4652. — Benth., Fl. Austral., ii. 

 442.— B. H., Gen., 651, n. 62.— F. Muell., 

 Fragm. vi. 189. — Ceratopetalum ovatum Caxey, 

 mss. (ex Endl.). 



4 D. Don, in Fdinb. N. Phil. Journ., ix. 92. — 

 Endl., Gen., n. 4653. — Haev. & Sond., Fl. 

 Cap., ii. 307. — B. H., Gen., 652, n. 67. — Wein- 

 mannia trifoliata Thunb., Prodr., 77 ; Fl. Cap., 

 384. — DC, Prodr., iv. 9. — Trimerisma Peesl, 

 Pot. Pern., 73. 



5 D. Don, in Fdinb. N. Phil. Journ., ix. 98. — 

 Endl., Gen., n. 4661.— B. H., Gen., 652, n. 66. — 

 Dieterica Sek., in DC. Prodr., iv. 8. 



6 Don, loc. tit. — EiM., in C. Gay Fl. Chil., 

 iii. 47. — Weinmannia paniadata Cat., Icon , vi. 

 44, t. 565. — Dieterica paniculata See., loc. tit. 



