446 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 
the female tetramerous. In the latter case the receptacle for the 
female flower (figs. 266, 267) is gourd-shaped with a narrow neck, 
and contains a one-celled ovary, within which is a descending anatro- 
pous ovule whose micropyle looks upwards and towards the placenta.’ 
The ovary bears a thick style, grooved down the placentary side 
and ending in a broad stigmatiferous head notched on the same side. 
The mouth of the receptacle gives insertion to a perianth of four 
thick-edged valvate leaves outside, and as many inside alternating 
Hernandia sonora. 
Fia. 276. 
Long. section of female flower. 
Fie. 278. 
Fruit. 
Fia. 277. 
Female flower (perianth removed). 
with these, and narrower and thinner at the edges. Within the 
perianth is seen a disk of four glands superposed to the outer perianth 
leaves. In the male flower (figs. 274, 275) the receptacle is small and 
convex; it bears the double perianth and then three stamens super- 
posed to the outer leaves, and inserted in the centre of the flower. 
Each has a free or nearly free filament and an introrse basifixed anther, 
whose two slightly lateral cells dehisce by a valve which afterwards 
spreads, remaining attached to the connective by its posterior edge.’ 
The fruit (fig. 278) is a slightly fleshy drupe,’ surrounded by the floral 
receptacle, which is grooved longitudinally‘ and adheres to its outside,’ 
1 Jt has two coats, which long remain distinct 
in H. Vieillardiz. 
2 This anther is formed altogether on the 
same type as in Illigera, and opens in the same 
way. The pollen grains too are globes, propor- 
tionally large in diameter,and covered with conical 
papilla, which are here usually very acute. 
3 The sarcocarp is, however, very distinct 
from the woody stone. 
4 Usually by eight grooves separated by pro- 
jecting ribs. Both ribs and grooves are covered 
below with a layer of glandular tissue, which was 
more marked on the surface of the ovary. 
5 Except at the apex, where the top of the 
pericarp is seen free from all adhesions, and 
apiculated by some remains of the hardened 
style. 
