170 
The stamens, as is said higher up, keep close to their 
ordinary shape, but in one case they also appeared to be dialytic 
so as to show the number 5. As the same thing is to be observed 
now and then in Lua), in defective androecia of Cucurbita 
Pepo*), and also occurs in normal flowers of the genus Acti- 
nostemma *), it becomes the more acceptable that in the Cucur- 
bitaceae we have to deal with a pentamerous androecium. 
Only once we found stamens of which the anther appeared 
petaloid, with the undulating anther-line much iarrowed (fig. 
88). The specimen, which furnished this case of petalody, had 
been preserved in alcohol, consequently in the most favourable 
circumstances. In a dried state it would doubtlessly have escaped 
attention. 
Median foliar prolification (fig. 89). 
In a few of the virescent flowers a very slight projecting 
point could be seen in the centre of the concave receptacle, in 
others there spring from this projection a couple of tiny leaves 
which, however, remain altogether enclosed inside the corolla. 
This is the very beginning of the prolification: in further stages 
it is a shoot with leaves, leafbuds and tendrils to 4 cM. length 
that develops out of the flowers. In some cases 2 to 3 leafy 
branches come out of the virescent flower which suggests axillary 
prolification, but the examination shows that the extra branches 
spring inside the corolla from the proliferating axis. The pro- 
lifications did not show any flowers, but this may be accounted 
for by their early stage of development. 
The recognition of the flowers which on account of their 
green colour and merely vegetative organs do not absolutely 
contrast with the rest of the plant, is facilitated by the long 
peduncles and especially by the cordate bract springing from 
its inferior position and partly clasping the same. This bract, 
however, is subject to strong reduction. Every now and then 
we came across tetramerous flowers. 
1) Pewzie I, p. 492. 
2) Eichler I, p. 305. 
3) Maoiit et Decaisne, p. 485. 
