ON THE ASCLEPIADEiE. 



separable from the cell in one mass ; the cuculli 

 were also observable, but still very small and 

 green, nearly scutelliform, having a central papilla, 

 the rudiment of the future horn-like process. 

 Immediately previous to the bursting of the cells 

 of the antherse, which takes place a little before the 

 expansion of the corolla, the cuculli are completely 

 formed, and between each, a pair of minute, light 

 green fleshy teeth are observable, the single teeth of 

 each pair being divided from each other by the 

 descending alae of the antherae. The glands of 

 the stigma have acquired a form between ellipti- 

 cal and rhomboidal, a cartilaginous texture, and a 

 brownish-black colour ; they are easily separable 

 from the secreting furrow, and on their under 

 surface there is no appearance of a suture, or any 

 indication of their having originally consisted of 

 two distinct parts : Along with them separate also 

 the descending processes, which are compressed, 

 membranous, and light brown ; their extremity, 

 which is still unconnected, being more gelatinous 

 but not perceptibly thickened. The pollen has 

 acquired the yellow colour and the degree of 

 consistence which it afterwards retains. On 

 the bursting of the cells, the gelatinous extre- 

 mity of each descending process becomes firmly 

 united with the upper attenuated end of the cor- 

 responding mass of pollen. The parts are then in 

 that condition in which they have been common- 

 ly examined, and are exhibited in the figures of 

 Jacquin, who having seen them only in this state, 



