28 LETTER XXVIII. 



calyx consists of five narrow sharp sepals (Jig. 3. «.), 

 within which arise the ovate petals. There are five 

 stamens alternate with the petals, and growing from 

 below the ovary (fig- 3. ^.), with narrow yellow anthers, 

 converging into a cone that surrounds the style, and 

 opening by two pores at the point (fig. 4.). The ovary 

 is a slender downy body {fig. 5.), furrowed with deep 

 channels, narrowed into a smooth white style {fig. 3. c), 

 ending in a small two-lobed stigma, and containing two 

 cells {fig. ().), in each of which are two rows of ovules 

 attached to the placenta by long slender stalks ; these 

 ovules are separated from each other by thin green 

 horizontal plates. The beauty of Sollya lies entirely in 

 its flower ; its fi'uit is not rich and tempting in appear- 

 ance like that of Billardiera, but an oblong, hard, hairy, 

 brownish body (^^. 2 & 7.)> tipped by the hardened style. 

 If you cut across it you will find it apparently separated 

 internally into four cells ; but this is a deception, aris- 

 ing from the matter that lines the inside of the ovary 

 having grown up between the ovules so as to lodge 

 them all in distinct cells ; this is most evident when 

 the fi'uit is cut lengthwise {fig. 7-), when every one of 

 the little brown seeds is seen nestling in its own close 

 box. The seeds have a minutely rough skin {fig. 8.), 

 and retain the stalk you saw on them when ovules 

 {fig. 8. a.). If you open them skilfully they will be 

 found to consist of some hard brownish albumen, in 

 which a very small embryo {fig. 9- «•) is lodged near 

 the hilum. 



At first sight a plant like this appears very unlike 

 a Vine ; but if the two arc botanically contrasted, it 



