1614 CXXXII. TACCACE^. [Tacca. 



with numerous lineaf-lanceolate segments regularly diverging so as to form a 

 circle of about 6 to Sin. diameter. Scapes the length of the petioles, arising 

 from within its sheathing base, with sometimes a scarious sheathing scale 

 outside the petiole. Involucres of few (about 4 to 6) oblong or lanceolate 

 obtuse or acuminate bracts of a thin texture, 1 to 2in. long, but those of th^ 

 same involucre very unequal and often 2 or 3 additional very small ones. 

 Mowers numerous, on pedicels J to 1 in. and usually mixed with numerous long 

 filaments or capillary barren pedicels 3 to 4in. long. Perianth-segments in 

 some ovate and 2 lines long, in others lanceolate and 3 lines, but the difference 

 owing to different stages of development, the inner lobes scarcely larger than the 

 outer. Berry ovoid-globular, f to lin. diameter, contracted into a short neck 

 crowned by the persistent withered perianth limb. 



Hab.: Islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, R. Brown, Sweers ; Rookingbara Bay, Diillachy ; 

 Fitzroy island, C. IValter ; common on the islands of the tropical coast. 



Root, after being soaked, hammered and roasted, eaten. — Eoth I.e. 



Okder CXXXIII. DIOSCORIDE^. 



Flowers unisexual, usually dioecious, regular. Perianth superior, of 6 lobes or 

 segments. Stamens 6 or 3, inserted on the perianth or in the centre of the 

 flower round a rudimentary ovary, shorter than the perianth-lobes ; anthers with 



2 parallel cells opening inwards. Ovary inferior, 3-oelled, with 2 pendulous 

 ovules in each cell. Stigmas 3, entire or 2-cleft, on a single or distinct styles, or 

 sessile on the ovary. Fruit a 3-angled capsule, opening at the angles in 



3 loculicidal valves, or an indehiscent berry. Seeds albuminous, with a minute 

 embryo near the hilum. — Herbs often forming large tuberous rhizomes or woody 

 half underground trunks, the stems usually slender long and twining. Leaves 

 alternate or opposite, entire or divided, the nerves or primary veins parallel or 

 digitate, the intervening veinlets reticulate. Flowers small, usually of a yellowish 

 green, in axillary simple or paniculate spikes or racemes, the male inflorescence 

 usually more branched than the female. 



The Order comprises but few genera, dispersed over the tropical and temperate regions of the 

 globe. 



1. DIOSCOREA, Linn. 



(After Pedacius Dioscorides, the Greek physician.) 



(Helmia, Kunth.) 



Flowers dioecious. Stamens in the Australian species 6. Capsule 3-angled o,r 



8-lobed, opening longitudinally at the angles, often leaving their nervelike 



margins free. Seeds winged. — Underground rhizomes often tuberous and known 



by the name of Yams. Stems twining. 



A large tropical and subtropical genus, especially numerous in South America. 



A. Leaves 3 to 5 foliate. 



Perianth and fruit unknown. Leaves 3 to 5 foliate, and as well as the stems 



more or less hairy 1. D, sp. .' 



B. Leaves simple. 



Perianth-segments broad. Capsule broader than long. Seeds wiaged all 

 round. 



Leaves frequently opposite, ovate-cordate or triangular-hastate with a 

 broad open basal sinus 2. D. transversa. 



Perianth-segments narrow. Capsule longer than broad. Seeds winged at 

 one end only. Leaves alternate, ovate-cordate 3. D. saliva. 



