MELASTOMA CE^. 



25 



Blakea guianensis. 



Fig. 39. Diagram. 



live or six valvate or imbricate divisions, and as many alternate 

 petals contorted in the bud. The stamens, double the petals in 

 number, and disposed in two verticils, have free filaments, rather 

 thick, or more slender in the species 

 forming the genus Topohea^ In 

 the latter the anthers are more 

 elongate and narrower, while in 

 BJalcea proper they are shorter and 

 wider, dolabriform, with linear cells, 

 corresponding to the internal mar- 

 gin of the connective, but facing 

 outwards when the anther is in- 

 flexed on the summit of the fila- 

 ment, and dehiscing by pores or 

 short clefts. The base of the con- 

 nective is blunt or prolonged in a 

 more or less prominent spur facing upwards in the bud. The summit 

 of the anthers at this period moulds itself in the superior cavity of 

 the depressed ovary which is sometimes covered with a thin glandular 

 layer, belonging to a disk which terminates at 

 the insertion of the filaments. The ovary is 

 adherent in its entire extent and sometimes 

 prolonged at its centre in a conical projection, 

 surmounted by the style. The latter is simple, 

 columniform, with truncate or capitate stigma- 

 tiferous extremity, entire or slightly lobed. 

 The ovary is divided into four, five, or six cells, 

 in the internal angle of which is a placenta 

 covered with anatropous ovules ; it becomes a 

 fleshy, spongy, or coriaceous indehiscent fruit, 

 enclosing an indefinite number of ovoid, oblong, 

 or subpyramidal seeds, with salient raphe and 

 fleshy embryo, without albumen. 



Blakea consists of shrubs, glabrous or hairy, 

 erect or climbing, with opposite leaves, often large, sometimes very 



Bellucia grossularioides. 



Fig. 40. Long. sect, 

 of flower. 



1 A.VBI., Guian. i. 476, t. 189.— J. Gen. 329.— t. 6.— B. H. Gm. 770, n. 128.— Tin. Melast. 

 PoiR. D'ct. vii. 700.— Naud. loc. cit. xviii. 145, 149. 



