430. 



XCVI. MELASTOMACE^. 



terminal, 2-cellecl, pendulous before flowering, and sunk in the spaces separating 

 the ovary from the receptaciilar cupule, globose, ovoid or elongate ; cells parallel, 

 generally opening at the top (often prolonged into a beak) by a common pore, or by 

 2 distinct pores, rarely by longitudinal slits {Kibessia) ; connective polymorphous, 

 not prolonged below the anther and without appendages {Pyramia), prolonged 

 below the anther and without appendages (8pennera), prolonged below the 

 anther with anterior appendages {Melastoma), not prolonged below the anther, 

 but furnished with posterior appendages (Ruheria). Ovaet quite free, adhering to 

 the nerves of the receptacular cup, or completely adherent ; cells 4-3, rarely 6-20, 

 or one only (Memecylon) ; style simple ; stigma undivided ; ovules numerous [rarely 

 few], anatropous or semi-anatropous. Eeuit with usually axile placentation, or 

 parietal {Kibessia), or basilar {Naudinia), of 1-20 cells ; sometimes a berry from the 

 development of the receptacular cupule, indehiscent or ruptile {Astronia) ; sometimes 

 a drupe {Mouriria), sometimes dry and indehiscent, sometimes a' loculicidal capsule 

 with semi-septiferous valves, the placentas frequently remaining united into a 

 central column {Melastoma). Seeds numerous, testa crustaceous, dotted or areolate, 

 sometimes reniform or cochleate ; sometimes ovoid, oblong, angular, pyramidal or 

 scobiform {Huberia), rarely margined {Gastanella) ; Jiilum basilar. Embeto exal- 

 burainous, straight or curved ; cotyledons equal, or the outer much the larger in the 

 irregularly formed seeds ; radicle next the hilum. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 



Blakea. * Medinilla. * Osbeolria. * Melastoma. * Pleroma. Monochaetuni. 



* Rhexia. * Sonerila. * Bertolonia. * Ehynchanthera. * Centradenia. 



[The following classification of this most extensive order is that of the ' Genera 

 Plantarum.' 



Sdb-oedee I. MELA8T0ME2E. 



Ovary 2-oo -celled ; ovules numerous, inserted on placentas which project from the inner 

 angle of the cells. Fruit polyspermous. Seeds minute ; embryo very minute. 

 Series I. — Fruit usually capsular. Stamens unequal. 



Teibe I. MiCEOLiciE^. — Connective produced at the base, appendaged in front. Seeds 

 oblong or ovoid (American). Pijramia, Gcmibessedesia, Ghcetostoma, Microlicia, Lavoisiera, 

 Bhynchaiithera, Centradenia, &o. 



