524 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS, 



II? BOOPIS SEKIES. 



A separate family lias been made of this series to which has ulti- 

 mately been given the name of Cahjcerece because it also contains the 

 genus Calycera, Boopis ^ (fig. 426-430) has flowers similar to each 

 other and very analogous to those of the Dipsacece. It has the concave 

 receptacle lodging in its cavity the ovary with a single cell, near the 



Boopis aufstralis. 



Fig. 428. Fruit. 



Fig. 426. Flower. 



Fig. 429. 

 Seed. 



Fig. 430. Long. 

 sect, of seed. 



Fig. 427. Long, 

 sect, of flower. 



summit of which is inserted a descending and anatropous ovule. It 

 has also the superior (epigynous) perianth, composed of a short calyx 

 with four, five or six divisions, equal or unequal and a regular gamo- 

 petalous corolla the limb of which is divided above into four, five or 

 six equal lobes, valvate ^ in the bud. The stamens, inserted near the 

 base of the limb, are alternate with these divisions, and are formed 

 each of a filament, free or united with the others at the base, and a 

 bilocular introrse anther dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts. Under 

 the androecium, the corolla tube bears four, five or six alternipetalous, 

 elliptic or elongate, little prominent glands. The ovule is inserted 



I J. Ann. Mus. ii. 350, t. 58, 2 (1803).— Pom. 

 Diet. Suppl. i. (1810) 679.— Cass. Journ. Phys. 

 (1818) 114; Opmc. Phyt. ii. 355.— L.-C. Rich. 

 Mem. Mus. vi. 78, t. 11, 12.— DC. Prodr. v. 2. 

 — Endl. Gen. n. 3034. — Miers, Ann. and Mag. 

 Nat. Hist. (1860) ; Contrib. ii. 21, t. 46, 47.— 



H.Bx. Payer Fain. Kat. 245.— B.H. Gen. ii. 161, 

 n. 1. 



.2 The nervation of these lobes is peculiar and 

 deviates from what is observed in most Compo- 

 site ; generally a median nerve is distinguished 

 and two other nervures near the margins. 



