250 



On some remarkable Plants in the 



of these are well developed, their points projecting beyond 

 the concave sinuses. 



At a somewhat later period, the base of the central 

 cone will be found concealed by the growth of the above 

 annulus, and at the line of junction between its base and that 

 of the cone, very young ovula may be detected, apparently 

 attached round the whole base of the cone, and not present- 

 ing any manifest relations with the carpel leaves. At this 

 time a double long section has not shewn me any solution 

 of continuity resulting from forcibly pulling back the car- 

 pel leaves, and thus exposing the ovula. 



The next stage presented the central cone with a conical 

 base, a cylindrical intermediate portion, and a dilated head. 

 The carpel leaves will be now found to adhere by their bases 

 to the corresponding part of the cone, so that the ovula can- 

 not be exposed without tearing through tissue ; the carpel 

 leaves are also now produced upwards into a hollow cylinder, 

 surrounding the columnar part of the original central cone ; 

 this cylinder is somewhat dilated at the apex, which again is 

 5-toothed, the teeth corresponding to the radiating lines. 



At the time of expansion the circumstances remain much 

 the same, the central columnar body remains distinct from 

 the canal enclosing it, the ovula appear attached round the 

 whole of its base, but not upon the same plane. The lines 

 of communication, by which each isolated ovulum is placed in 

 the usual conditions to receive the male influence, will be 

 found to terminate on the circumference of the conical base 

 of the central column. 



Of this structure, as it exists at the period of expansion 

 of the flower, four modes of explanation occur to me. It may 

 be conveniently disposed of by the use of the term ovarium 

 disco* immersum," not unfrequently employed in the generic 

 description of Celastrineae. 



* M. Endlicher pointedly alludes to the necessity of accurately ob- 

 serving these discs. Gen. PL p. 1085. 



