444 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



naked or liaviug two or three dorsal ridges. Finally, Gaudichaudia 

 (fig. 459-461), representing the most incomplete type of this family, 

 has only five stamens in the normal flowers, three only being iisually 

 fertile (fig. 459), and three carpels, one alone presenting generally a 



Gttiulichaudia cotigestiflorn. 





^i=i 



%?»Wf1 





Fig. loD. llower (f). 



f^h, M 



-^b^L 



Fig. 461. 

 GynjEoeum. 



Fig. 460. Longitudinal section 

 of flower. 



developed and gynobasic style (fig. 461). The fruit is formed of 

 one or two samarse supported by a filiform foot and provided with 

 a marginal wing and dorsal ridge. This genus is formed of slight 

 shrubs often volubile, inhabiting Mexico, Venezuela, and Co- 

 lumbia. 



The Ma/pi(jhiacecc ^ form a very natural small group in which 

 monographers have traced artificial divisions, according to characters 

 whose value would elsewhere be considered very small. It may be 

 strictly said of this, as of many other families, that it is a large natural 

 genus whose divisions have been too much multiplied, and will vinfor- 

 tunately be still more so if the same principles continue to be applied. 

 With the older botanists down to LiNNiEUs, all known MnlplgJiidccce 

 were Malp'ujhia^ Banistcria, and Trioptcrijs. At the end of the last 

 century and the commencement of the present, Cavanille had added 



' Malpirjliia J. Ocii. 252, Ord. 1 .—Malpighi- 121, Ord. 92; Veg. Kiiigd. 388, Ord. 139.— J 

 acca J: Ann. Mus. xviii. 479. — DC. Prodi: i. 577. G. Agardh, Tlieor. Syst. Plant. 291. 

 — Endi. Geii. 1U57, Old. 228.— LiNPL. Nat. Sii-'tt. 



