1886. ] BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 79 
that botanists will thoroughly examine this work during the com- 
ing season that this paper is “presented, and any specimens which 
will correct either the ii hierag or ts dee given will be received 
asa great favor. Of course work don the Harvard Herba- 
rium is ‘of itself an acknowledgment of ths great courtesy that 
prevails there, and the patient criticism given to these pa 28 y 
r. Gray has given to them probably their greatest value 
ong ‘three genera may be grouped and characterized as fol- 
ws 
*® Hypogynous glands none. 
Sscyrum. Sepals 4, very unequal, decussate; the two outer very 
ie Se flat; the inner much smaller. Petals 4, aides convolute in sesti- 
vation, deciduons. Stamens numerous, distinct. Ovary one-celled, with 2 to 
4 parietal aia styles 2 to 4, distinct or united below: stigmas not capi- 
tate. Capsule 
2. Hypericum, Sepals 5 (rarely 4), similar, Petals 5 (rarely 4), ob- 
lique, convolute in estivation, deciduous or marcescent. amens numerous 
into phalanges. Ovary one-celled with parietal placentiz, or 3 to 5-celled with 
placente in the axis: styles 3 to 5, distinct or united even to the apex: stigmas 
often capitate. Capsule conical to globose. 
* ® Fypogynous glands three. 
: 3. Elodea. Sepals 5, equal. Petals 5, equal-sided, imbricate in wstiva- 
tion, deciduous. Stamens 9 (rarely wares alee triadelphous; the large 
“range-colored glands alternating with the phalan Ovary 3-celled : styles 
3, distinct : stigmas not capitate. Capsule pe piocavier} ice. 
1. ASCYRUM L. St. PETER’s-wort. 
Low suffruticose leafy plants; with small black-dotted leaves and 
Heanly solitary light ad flowers ; PS gel bibracteolate. 
903; T y; 56 ; Gray, Gen. Ill. i. 211, t. 
91; Reith. & Hook. Gen. ae x wins excl. syn. Isophyllum.— 
genus de 5 oe peculiar to Eastern North America and the 
West Indi 
* Diffuse : a waar hay i hori and winged above: leaves nar- 
cep at the base, not clasping : sepals very small (about half line long) 
= pe petalold ¢ Notale aeeat a as ng as the outer sepals: styles two, dis 
a or united. 
Pedi icels long (} ie 3 inch), pipcocreee near the base: inner sepals 
ES or nearly so: styles as long as the ovary. 
A. pumilum Micux. Low (8 to 9 inches), with spreading 
low. leaves linear-oblong to oval, ego spatulate or 
narrowly obovate, 2 to 4 lines long, about a line wide: pedicels 
becoming more or less reflexed: petals oe little longer than 
