SAPTXDACE^. 



359 



IV. PANCOVIA SEKIES. 



There were formerly comprised in the genus Sajnndus several spe- 

 cies with irregular flowers, such as the *S'. ediilis (rubiffiiiosiis), Earak, 

 etc. Notwithstanding numerous and very great atfinities with the 

 Sajnndus proper, they are distinguished by a corolla with only four 

 petals, although the sepals are five in number, and by a disk not 

 arranged in a cii-cle all round the foot of the gynteceum, but only 



Paiicoviii ethilis. 



Fig. 375. Flower (4). 



Fig. 376. Diagram. 



Fig. 377. LongituiJinal 

 section of flower. 



developed on its superior side. The first generic name under 

 which they were distinguished, in 1799, was that of Fancovia} 

 They have polygamous monoscious flowers (fig. 375-377) with five 

 unequal and imbricate sepals. The four petals are longer, slightly 

 imequal, imbricate, lined inwardly by an appendage, which is some- 

 times entire and sometimes bilobate at its apex, more or less cuculate 

 or folded and lobate, in the form of a ridge. The stamens are gene- 

 rally eight in number," with more or less excentric insertion, having 

 filaments, glabroiis or, more often, covered with hairs, longer in the 

 male flowers, with bilocular introrse anthers sterile in the female 



' W. Spec. Plant, ii. 283.— B. H. Gen. 465.— 

 H. Bn. Adamonia, ix. 229. — Erioglossiim Bl. 

 Bijdr. 229.— Enul. Geii. n. 5611.— B. H. Gc„. 

 396, n. 13. — Jloidi/isia Camhess. Mem. Mn.i. 

 xxiii. 27, t. 2.— Endl. Gen. n. 5G13. — UUch'ui 

 NoBONH. Verh. Bat. Gen. v. (ex Mm. Fl. Ind.- 

 £at. i. p. ii. o7-l.) — Dittela.wia IIooK. r. Gim. 

 395, n. 12.— Bakee, Fl. Maurit. ol. 



■ Of these eight stamens, five, hardly larger 



than the others, are each superposed to one of 

 the sepals ; of the three others, one woiJd bo 

 supei-posed to the petal which is wanting, and 

 two, phiced on the other side of the flower, 

 arc each in face of a petal. The symmetrical 

 plan of the androceum (which is at the same 

 time that of the sexual organs) thus difiera 

 from that of the calyx. 



