DR. M. T. MASTERS ON THE PASSIFLORACE X. 611 
tamerous, with five bracts, five sepals, five petals, five stamens, and five carpels. The 
sepals and petals, at first hypogynous, become perigynous by the formation of the 
receptacular tube. The stamens are hypogynous in Passiflora and most of the genera 
of the order; the ovary, originally sessile, becomes, with the stamens, lifted up on a 
stalk by the elongation of the receptacle. The corona is an outgrowth from the sides of 
the receptacular tube, formed at a late period of the development of the flower, as already 
explained. | 
This view of the construction of the flower is theoretical only so far as regards the 
assumption of the potential existence and the relative position of two bracts and of two 
- earpels, the growth of which is, moreover, assumed to be suppressed. According to 
Payer's explanation of the structure of the flower, it is the two posterior bracts, those 
nearest to the axis, that are wanting, and two lateral, or rather postero-lateral carpels 
opposite sepals 4 and 5. In my view, however, the defective bracts are one posterior 
eorresponding to the interval between sepals 2 and 4, and one antero-lateral corre- 
sponding to the interval between sepals 3 and 5. "The missing carpels would occupy a 
corresponding position. 
I believe the discrepancy between the account given by Payer as to the relative posi- 
tion of the several floral organs and that which I am disposed to think, though not 
without some hesitation, is the more correct, arises from the circumstance that Payer 
considered the outer, larger bract to be at the anterior side of the flower, or opposite 
to the floral leaf. In reality, as has been before explained, the odd bract is lateral 
with regard to the main axis, though it is anterior as regards the peduncle on which it is 
placed, and therefore anterior to the tendril. This error, if error it be, of Payer's involves 
a dislocation from the real position amounting to two-fifths of the circumference of a 
circle. This displacement, taken in conjunction with the well-known faculty that organs 
have of occupying the spaces that would be filled by the now missing organs if no 
suppression had ensued, and thus of “closing up” the gaps, is amply sufficient to 
account for any discrepancy of opinion between myself and other observers. 
It would be mere speculation to discuss the question whether the original type of 
Passiflora had five bracts and five carpels. Indeed I should be disposed to refer the 
existing deficiency not so much to any inherited tendency to suppression as to an accom- 
modation process, if I so may term it, designed to obviate undue pressure and give more 
space. Inthis way the suppression of the posterior bract and the posterior carpel becomes 
specially significant, inasmuch as, from the comparatively unyielding nature of the axis 
opposite to whieh they would be placed, growth would be liable to be checked by the 
obstacle so afforded. 
MINUTE ANATOMY. 
The following observations are by no means complete; but they are perhaps sufficient 
to draw attention to the main features of the internal structure. 
Tuber.—The fusiform tuberous root or root-stock of Machadoa consists of a mass of 
cells filled with large ovoid starch-grains, very unequal in size. Through the mass are 
irregularly distributed large barred ducts. | 
4 M 2 
