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A DIPLOSTIGMATIC PLANT, SEB^A EXACOIDES (L.) SCHINZ 
(BELMONTIA COED ATA L.). 
By E. Marloth, Ph.D., M.A., F.E.S.S.Afr. 
(Read September 16, 1908.) 
The genus Belmontia was separated from Sehcsa by Ernst Meyer in 
1835 on account of the included stamens. While in the genus SehcEa 
proper the stamens are inserted at the mouth of the corolla tube and are 
consequently exserted, they are, owing to their lower insertion, hidden in 
the tube of the corolla on the species included in Belmontia. Recently, 
however, both genera have been re-united by Schinz,"'' owing to the exist- 
ence of intermediate forms ; hence the pretty little plant generally known 
as Belmontia cordata would have to be called Sebcea cordata, if it had not 
been shown at the same time by Schinz that there exists an older Linnsean 
name for it, viz., Gentiana exacoides. Consequently, according to the 
international rules of nomenclature, this older specific name must have 
the preference, and the plant is Sebcea exacoides (L.) Schinz. 
The flowers of most species of Sebcea possess two curious organs, viz., 
the Brown's bodies — a term introduced by Schinz — and the papillose ridges 
of the style. The Brown's bodies are little appendages of the anthers, 
existing either at the apex of the anther only — in which case there is 
only the one apical body — or also at the base of the anther, in which case 
there are three such bodies, one apical and two basal ones. Until recently 
these bodies were called glands, but Schinz has shown, that they contain 
sugar and that they are often removed from the flower. This he ascribes 
to the action of insects, which rob the flowers of these bodies, and he looks 
upon the Brown's bodies as a bait for the attraction of insects, complain- 
ing at the same time of the indifference of Cape botanists, who have not 
paid any attention to the visitors of these flowers. Professor Schinz 
would, however, have been less severe in his judgment, if he possessed my 
experience in this matter. For twenty-five years I have seen hundreds or 
thousands of plants of Belmontia cordata every year without ever observing 
a single insect on its flowers, and yet this is, for some special reason, a 
* Schinz, H., Versuchveiner monograph. Uebersicht der Gattung Sehcsa R. Br.; Mitt, 
der Geogr. Ges. in Liibeck, Heft 17, 1903. 
