388 ACCOUNT OP A NEW GENUS OF PLANTS, 



which is very doubtful, however, and can only be deter- 

 mined by an examination of the fruit, it may also be com- 

 pared with Bafflesia. At first sight this singular genus 

 seems to resemble our plant in several respects, particularly 

 in the manner of insertion of its sessile flower into the 

 branch, in the bractese surrounding the ovarium, the con- 

 fluence and dilatation of its filaments, and in the existence 

 of a double corona. But some of these points are obviously 

 unimportant ; and the comparison between the corona of 

 the great flower and the double corolla of Belvisia will 

 probably be considered paradoxical.^ 



It seems unnecessary to compare Bafflesia with Cucur' 

 bitacece, to which it could only be considered as approach- 

 ing, if its affinity to Aj^hi^teia should appear probable, and 

 the relationship of that genus to Cucurbitacece, suggested 

 chiefly by the structure of anthersBj were at the same time 

 admitted. 



333] The points of agreement between Bafflesia and Sterculi- 

 acece are the division and form of the coloured peiianthiuuij 

 the sessile antheree terminating a column, and the separa- 

 tion of sexes. 



1 M. de Beauvois, in his account of Napoleona [Flore d'Oware ii, p. 32), has 

 mentioned a genus allied to it, which has been since published by M. Desfon- 

 taines under the name of AsteraMos. These two genera are without doubt 

 nearly related ; and, even independent of the structure of fruit, which in both 

 remains to be ascertained, possess sufSoient characters to separate them from 

 every known family, as M. de Jussieu is disposed to think ; and certainly from 

 SymplocecB, where M. Desfontaines has placed them. 



In adopting the generic name proposed by M. Desvaux for Napoleona^ this 

 order may be called 



BELYISEiB. 



Calyx monopliyllus, limbo diviso, persistens. Corolla 1 monopetala, plicata, 

 (multiloba vel iiidivisa ; simplex v. duplex) decidua. Stamina vel definita v. 

 indefinita; basi corollse inserta. OoanVra inferum. Stylus'l. ;iS'/?yMa lobatum 

 V. angulatum. Pericarpium baccatum, polyspermum. 



Prutices (Africae ffiquinootialis ; an etiam Brasilise ?) foliis alternis integerri- 

 mis exstipulaiis, floribus axillaribus lateralibusve solitariis. 



Belvisia, Desvaux in Journal de Botanique applig. iv, p. 130. 



Napoleona, Palisot de Beauvois Flore d'Oware ii,^7. 39. 



Cali/x h-fidus. Corolla? duplex; exterior indivisa ; interior (e staminibus 

 sterilibus connatis formata?) multifida. Stamina: Filamenta 5 dilatata bian- 

 therifera. 



AsTEKANTHOS, Besfout. in Mem. du Mus. \\,p. 9, tab. 3. 



Calyx multidentatus. Corolla ? simplex multiloba. Stamina indefinite 

 numerosa distincla. 



