86 BYTTNERIACE^. 



dissepiments Ijorne on the middle of the valves, and tardily- 

 separating from the filiform axis. Seeds 2, or by abortion 

 solitary, in each cell, obovate, ascending, amphitropous or 

 partly anatropous, not incurved ; the testa smooth and crus- 

 taceous. Embryo straight in the axis of the fleshy albumen 

 and nearly of its length : cotyledons broad and foliaceous, 

 round-reniform, plane : the radicle terete, inferior. 



Shrubs, or sometimes herbs, the pubescence, if any, stel- 

 lular ; with alternate and ovate or oblong serrate leaves, on 

 distinct petioles, and small stipules. Peduncles terminal or 

 opposite the leaves, bearing an umbellate fascicle of small 

 flowers. Corolla violet, purple, or white. 



Etymology. A name of uncertain origin, thought by Linnaeus to have 

 come, by the accidental change of a letter, from ^oXoxt), an ancient name of 

 some Mallow-plant. 



Geographical Distribution. A genus of tropical American plants, as 

 now restricted ; one widely diffused species, however, extends northward 

 into Texas, beyond lat. 30°. 



PLATE 134. Melochia pyramidata, Linn.; — a branch of the natural 

 size, in flower and fruit ; raised in the Botanic Garden, Cambridge, 

 from Texan seeds. 



1. Diagram of the aestivation, and of the position of the stamens. 



2. Magnified section through the base of the flower-bud, showing the 



cohesion of the base of the petals with the short tube of filaments, 

 also the position of the cells of the ovary. 



3. Vertical section of a flower (dividing one cell of the ovary and show- 



ing its ovules), enlarged. 



4. Two stamens, with a portion of the ring at the base and the interposed 



teeth, or rudimentary sterile filaments, magnified. 



5. Transverse section of an anther, more magnified. 



6. Grains of pollen, highly magnified. 



7. A capsule enlarged. 



8. Transverse section of the same in dehiscence, more magnified. 



9. A seed magnified. 



10. Transverse section of the same, cutting across the cotyledons. 



11. Embryo detached entire, and more magnified. 



