BIXACEJE. 



279 



six imbricated divisions. The androceum is formed of from eight to 

 fifteen stamens, the monadelphous filaments inserted at the throat of 

 the receptacle forming a tube, being united to a greater or less height 

 with the perianth. Their summits are free for a variable dis- 

 tance, often inconsiderable, each bearing a two-celled introrse anther 



Samyda serrulata. 



Fig. 303. 

 Bud (f). 



Fig. 304. 

 Flower. 



Fig. 305. Fig. 306. 



Diagram. Longitudinal section of flower (§). 



dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts. 1 The gynseceum is free, and 

 occupies the bottom of the cup-shaped receptacle ; it is formed of a 

 one-celled ovary, surmounted by a style, the stigmatiferous extre- 

 mity dilated into a head. Upon the walls of the ovary are seen 

 from three 2 to five placentas, bearing anatropous ovules. 3 The fruit 

 is more or less fleshy or coriaceous, and terminates by opening from 

 above downwards in three, four or five valves. It contains nume- 

 rous seeds, each surrounded by a fleshy aril, often laciniate, and the 

 crustaceous coats covering a fleshy albumen and an axile embryo 

 with conical radicle and foliaceous cotyledons. Samyda consists 

 of shrubs of the Antilles, and the neighbouring regions of the 

 mainland. The leaves are alternate distichous, spotted with glan- 

 dular pellucid dots. The short petiole is accompanied by two small 

 lateral stipules. The flowers are solitary or disposed in small cymes 

 in the axils of the leaves. Only three or four species are known. ' 



1 Pollen "ovoid-rounded, with four short 

 folds ; in water spherical with four short hands, 

 up )n these hands papillae." (H. Mohl., in Ann. 

 Sc. Nat, ser 2, hi. 327.) 



2 In this case two of the placentas are pos- 

 terior (Pater). 



3 Their hilum is often concave raid sur- 

 rounded by a circular pad. The region of their 

 micropyle is curved at a late period, so as to 



give them the appearance of campylotropous 

 ovules. They have double coats. Generally 

 the upper attenuated part of the placenta bears 

 no ovules; it is prolonged into the interior of 

 the tubular style. 



4 Jacq., Colled., ii. t. 17. — Sw., Fl.-Ind. 

 Occ., ii. 758.— Vent., Ch. de PI., t. 43 — 

 Gkiseb., Fl. Brit. W.-Ind., 24. — Bot. Mug., t. 

 550. 



