330 MR. J. MIERS ON THE HIPPOCRATEACEÆ OF SOUTH AMERICA. 
its cells were developed to the full size of mature growth. I observed at the same time 
two other longitudinal spaces in the endocarp, about the size of a needle, placed opposite 
to the ends of the dissepiment, from which it would appear that normally the ovary has 
four cells; but if this is so, and if the stigma is 4-lobed as stated, how has it happened 
in this case, if all the four ovules were unfertilized, that two of the cells attain their full 
capacity, while the other two remain so imperfectly developed? The fact, however, is 
worthy of record. In habit the plant, with its opposite leaves, accords with the Hippo- 
crateaceæ; and seemingly in all points of structure except the doubtful one of the 
presence of albumen it agrees satisfactorily with that family. 
I now propose to divide the Hippocrateacee into distinct sections or tribes, according 
io the following synoptical Table, which may serve as a key to the recognition of the 
several genera. This will be supplemented by a more detailed diagnosis of each genus, 
as well as of its several species, among which will be found a more copious description of 
those plants which have been hitherto only imperfectly recorded. 
HiIPPOCRATEACEARUM GENERA AMERICANA. 
A. Ovarium, ex axi omnino atrophiato, et lobis eodem tempore maximopere auctis, 
adscendentibus et transversim valde expansis, in capsulas 3, magnas, plurisper- 
mas evolutum. 
a. Tribus 1°. HirrocRATEX. Capsule 3, compress, transversim et naviculatim 
2-valvatze. 
1. Discus majusculus, alte conicus, tomentellus; petala oblonga, intus barbata, 
margine integra; semina plurima, ala magna membranacea sustenta; cotyle- 
dones distinctz, tenuiter foliacee — . . . HIPPOCRATEA. 
2. Discus depresse pulviniformis, imo late expansus, bb ; ita inna 
unguiculata, pectinatim fimbriata, glabra; semina plurima, ala magna mem- 
branacea sustenta ; cotyledones ovate, crassæ, arcte conferruminate . . . PRIONOSTEMMA. 
3. Discus cylindricus, imo angustius expansus, — ; petala oblonga, denticu- 
lata, glabra; capsule imo coadnate . . PRISTIMERA. 
4, Discus breviter et tenuiter cylindricus ; notae pats Dis RARE danas $ 
semina pauca, nuciformia, carina breviter protensa sustenta; cotyledones 
ovatæ, crassissimæ 
HYLENZA. 
B. Tribus 2°. Currvez. Ciel 3, maxime, e ARA yasen. 
5. Discus breviter cylindricus ; petala oblonga, denticulata, glabra ; semina pauca, 
nuciformia, carina longe protensa sustenta ; Desin magnse, ovatze, cras- 
sissimæ , CUERVEA. 
B. Ovarium ex axi a cel Mec NN dci in d n SEE VES 
plurilocularem evolutum. 
6. Fructus ignotus, verisimiliter drupaceus; discus breviter i are ; petala 
oblonga, pectinatim dentata, crassiuscula . . . . . ANTHODON. 
a. Tribus 3°. TowrELIEX. Stigmata normalia, staminibus dud idie oi. 
drupa indehiscens, 3-locularis v. abortu 1-locularis. 
7. Discus breviter tubulosus ; petala oblonga, subintegra, glabra; drupa maxima, 
iformis; semina plurima, nuciformia, ovata; testa coriacea, cum raphe 
ramosissima ; cotyledones magne, crasse; flores numerosissimi, subminuti, 
pau à . cuc ovo oe ev ca a e raft. 
