LEGUMINOSZ-MIMOSEZ. 23 
large fleshy embryo. The superior radicle is surrounded by.a sheath 
longer than itself, formed by the approximated decurrent bases of 
the auriculate cotyledons (fig. 19). Of the genus Adenanthera two 
or three species are known,’ unarmed trees from Asia, Australia, 
Africa, and tropical America, with alternate bipinnate leaves possess- 
ing two lateral stipules. The flowers’ are in axillary racemes, or 
are collected into compound racemes terminating the branches. 
The genera which have been placed near Adenanthera differ in but 
few characters, which here assume an importance greater than is 
assigned them elsewhere. But we must remember that it is a very 
natural group that we have to deal with, and so closely are its 
component genera allied that they were all formerly considered as 
members of either Acacia or Mimosa. These differentiating characters 
are drawn from the structure, form, and dehiscence of the fruit; 
besides several of less value derived from the organization of the 
flower. 
Thus HMephantorrhiza’ has altogether the pedicellate flower’ and 
the inflorescence of 4denanthera ; but its fruit is broad and flattened, 
with a coriaceous pericarp. At maturity the two sutures, one on 
either edge, remain a situ, while the valves of the pericarp separate, 
forming two flaps; these again each split into two leaves, the endo- 
carp coming away from the mesocarp. ‘I'wo species of this genus 
are known,’ undershrubs from the Cape of Good Hope, with a thick 
rhizome, a humble stem, and bipinnate eglandular leaves. The 
flowers, which may be polygamous, are in racemes, either solitary 
axillary, or ramified on certain axes which only bear bracts instead 
of leaves. 
In Stryphnodendron,’ too, the flowers are closely similar to those of 
Adenanthera, and are borne on short pedicels as in Mephantorrhiza. 
Burchellit, or are sometimes subsessile.’ But the receptacle is already 
1 Wiaeut., Jil., i. t. 84(80).— Wieur & ARN., 
Prodr., ii. 271.—Tuw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl., 98.— 
Bentu., Fl. Austral., ii. 298.—Harv. & 
Sonp., Ft. Cap. ii. 276, u. 2?.—H. Bn,, in 
Adansonia, vi. 207.—Watp., Rep., v. 580; 
Ann., iv. 613.—O1tv., #1. Trop. Afr., ii. 329. 
2 They are usually echelonned in pairs on the 
(Acacia elephantorrhiza DC., Prodr., ii. 457 ;— 
A, elephantina Burou., Trav., ii, 236 ;—Pro- 
sopis elephantorrhiza SPRENG ;—P. elephantina 
E. Mey.). The glands surmounting the anthers 
are borne on slender stalks, and fall very early 
in this species. ‘The stamens are inserted 
exactly as in Adenanthera. 
rachis of the inflorescence. 
3 Benra., in Hook. Journ., iv. 344.—B. H., 
Gen., 590, u. 379. 
4 In EH. Burkei Buntu. the pedicel is nearly 
as long asin <Adenanthera, but it becomes even 
shorter than the calyx in 2. Burchellii Bentu. 
5 Harv. & Sonp., Fl. Cap., ii. 277. 
6 Marr., Herb. Fl. Bras., 117.— Env, 
Gen., nu. 6837 a.—B. H., Gen., 590, n. 377, 
7 There is usually one articulation at either 
end of the pedicel. 
