VALERIANACEAE? 



PI. XVII, figs. 11, 12. 



Fruit inferior, one*seeded, crowned by remains of an asymmetric perianth, 

 elongate*ovate, 5 ribbed. 



Length 3.6 mm., breadth 1.2 mm. Swalmen. 



We are unable satisfactorily to make out the structure of this fruit, of which we 

 have only one (fig. 11) and a doubtful broken specimen of another (fig. 12). The fruit 

 seems to have been loose and baggy, asymmetric, with 3 ribs on one side, 2 on the 

 other, and perhaps 2 marginal. The lobed calyx is damaged, and it is difficult to make 

 out the number of the lobes. 



The characters suggest Valerianaceae, but we can find no genus or species having 

 much resemblance. 



CUCURBITACEAE. 



ECBALLIUM? Sp. nov. 

 PI. XVII, fig. 13. 



Seed oval short wide, compressed dorsally, rough. 



Length 4.5 mm., breadth 3.2 mm. Swalmen. 



The one seed yet found is not in very good preservation, and we do not care to 

 make it the type of a new species. It almost certainly belongs to the genus Ecballium ; 

 but the only species now living has the seed longer, narrower, and more pointed. 



Ecballium elaterium is a plant of the Mediterranean Region and of the Caucasus. 



COMPOSITAE. 



EUPATORIUM JAPONICUM Thunb. var. 

 PI. XVII, figs. 14, 15. 



Fruits variable in length, but shorter, thicker, and more finely sculptured than 

 in E. cannabinum. 



Length 2.5 to 3.5 mm., breadth 0.7 mm. Swalmen, Reuver. 



These fruits agree precisely with those of a specimen at Kew, collected by Pere 

 Faurie in the mountains of Japan ; but they do not altogether agree with other specimens 

 of E.japonicum in that Herbarium. Pere Faurie's plant (figs. 16, 17) has the fruits more 

 gradually attenuate, and even more finely sculptured than the ordinary E. japonicum 

 (fig. 18); in these respects our fossil corresponds with his plant rather than with the type. 

 Pere Faurie's collection has not yet been thoroughly examined, and his plant may prove 

 to be an undescribed species. The genus is a difficult one ; but our fossil fruits are unlike 

 anything now living in Europe. It is difficult to photograph the recent fruits (figs. 16—18) 

 as the sculpture is much masked by glands. 



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