DR THOMAS R. FRASER ON STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS. 



981 



surface. The former represents the exterior of the endocarp which has been left as a 

 covering for the scraped follicle. This covering is of brittle consistence, only about the 

 Y^jth of an inch in thickness, externally of a pale brown colour, and marked by irregular 

 shallow furrows produced in the scraping of the follicles, and internally smooth and 

 of a uniform dull lemon colour. The flattened or concave ventral surface possesses the 

 same characters as in the entire follicles. 



Before describing in detail the structures contained within the follicles, some 

 particulars will be given of the dimensions and weights of the follicles and of their 

 constituent parts. The chief supplies of follicles were obtained from Buchanan in 1879, 

 1881, and 1885, and they were all collected in the Shire district. No important 

 differences could be detected between the follicles, or their constituent parts, received at 

 these several dates, in respect of their general characters, chemical or pharmacological 

 properties, or microscopic structure. 



Entire Follicles. — The dimensions and weights were ascertained of the constituent 

 parts of two only of the dry entire follicles. 



Table II. 



Follicle. 



Seeds. 



Weight of 

 Pericarp. 



Weight of 

 Placenta. 



Weight of 



Comose 



Appendages. 



Length. 



Maximum 

 Diameter. 



Weight. 



Number. 



Weight. 



11-65 inches 

 10-75 „ 



1-5 inch. 

 1-25 „ 



509 grains 

 401 „ 



222 

 212 



100 grains 

 84 „ 



352 grains 



266 „ 



17 grains 

 15 „ 



40 grains 

 35 „ 



Scraped Follicles. — The dimensions and weights of a large number of scraped follicles 

 and of their constituent parts have, however, been ascertained. I have below tabulated, 

 separately, the results of the detailed examination of considerable numbers of follicles 

 from the supplies received in each of the above three years, giving only the averages 

 for each supply: — 



Table III. 



Supply of 



Number 

 Examined. 



Follicles. 



Seeds. 



Weight of 



Endocarp and 



Placenta 



(grains). 



Weight of 



Comose 



Appendages 



(grains). 



Length 

 (inches). 



Maximum 



Diameter 



(inch). 



Weight 

 (grains). 



Number. 



Weight 

 (grains). 



1879 

 1881 

 1885 



116 



149 



72 



1044 



11-8 



10-3 



0-75 



0-88 

 0-82 



143-2 

 200-8 

 191-7 



169-3 



185-8 

 189-1 



63-88 



70-4 



76-3 



46-16 



83 



70-7 



31-08 



45-9 



40-9 



The figures in the above table, it will be understood, are merely the average 



