90 bekbeuidaci:-!: 



sheaths at the base, then naked to the summit where it bears 

 4 to 6 alternate and approximate or irregularly fascicled 

 leaves, on slender petioles, and filiform peduncles in their 

 axils. Leaves thin and membranaceous, cordate at the base, 

 ovate-oblong, acuminate, entire, 5 - 9-ribbed, the ribs con- 

 verging to the apex, and connected by copious transverse re- 

 ticulated veinlets, as in Smilax or Dioscorea. Flowers 2 to 

 3, very small, greenish-white or tinged with purple. Pedi- 

 cels subtended by small alternate bracts, slender, articulated 

 above the middle ; the summit becoming thickened in fruit. 



Etymology. The genus consists of a single species, dedicated by Pro- 

 fessor Torrey to the memory of his friend, the late Hardy B. (''room, Esq., 

 the discoverer, who was also the author of a Monograph of Sarraceniu , and 

 of other botanical papers. 



Geographical Distribution. The plant grows in woods in Middle 

 Florida, where it has been gathered by Dr. Chapman, as well as by the la- 

 mented botanist whose name and services to science it commemorates. Mr. 

 Buckley has also detected it in Alabama. 



Note. For our knowledge of the ripe fruit, discovered since the first 

 volume of the Flora of North America was published, we are indebted to 

 Dr. Chapman and Mr. Buckley. Our analyses are taken partly from sketch- 

 es made by Dr. Torrey, and kindly furnished for our use. We discovered 

 the minute embryo in a single seed only, and are not certain whether it is 

 dicotyledonous or not. In either case, the affinity of the genus remains ob- 

 scure. 



PLATE 37. Croomia pauciflora, Torr. ; — from a small specimen. 



1. Diagram of the flower. 



2. A flower, just expanding, enlarged. 



3. A flower, taken at a later period. (From a sketch by Dr, Torrey.) 



4. 5. Stamens, taken from fig. 2 ; back and front views. 



6. Pistil, magnified. 



7. Vertical section of the same, showing the suspended ovules (but not so 



delineated as to exhibit the adnate placental cord, from the partly 

 free apex of which they hang). 



8. Pod, enlarged. 



9. A dehiscent pod, enlarged. (Herb. Torr.) 



10. Vertical section of a pod, magnified, showing the two seeds. 



11. A seed, with its comose arillus, more magnified. 



12. Vertical section of the same, showing the minute embryo. 



13. Detached embryo, more magnified (inverted, the hilar end down.) 



