MISS A. M. GELDART ON STRATIOTES ALOIDES, L. IQI 
enclosed in a special inner sheath. In some Sutton specimens 
1 have found two of these inner sheaths, in other flowers 
only one, and frequently none ; these variations taking place 
on the same plant. They seem in the Sutton flowers to be 
attached at the base of, or just below the ovary, and separated 
from the spathe by the pedicel. The calyx as in the male 
but somewhat more closed and broader, petals inclined to 
be obcordate, rather smaller and more closed than in the 
male, but displaying the same converging lines. The rays 
of the nectary (according to Nolte) are similar in number 
and constitution to those of the male flower, but somewhat 
larger, nearly half as long as the calyx. The ovary with its 
pedicel is much shorter and thicker than the male pedicel, 
so that the flower does not project far beyond the spathe. 
The six styles are thick, fleshy, three edged, erect, each passing 
gradually into the two, likewise three-edged, spreading, 
stigmas which are velvety on the inner opposite surfaces. 
The original drawing for the illustration in Eng. Bot., 1445, 
has the following note by Sowerby. “ W. Skrimpshire, of 
Wisbeach. Plentiful in ditches at Outwell between that place 
and Downham, Norfolk ” (Notes on Drawings for Eng. Bot. 
Suppt. to J. of Bot. 1904, p. 204). The illustration dated 
March 1, 1797, represents a plant having only one short- 
stalked flower in evidence, whereas the plants at Sutton bear 
fruit in early stages of development at the same time as the 
open flower, and a series of buds preparing to open in succes- 
sion. At the foot of the illustration, the figure of one segment 
of the perianth with styles and nectary (? imperfect stamens) 
shows the segment uncoloured in Ed. i. ; in Ed. iii. it is green, 
but, judging by its shape and position, I think Sowerby 
intended it for a white petal not a green sepal. 
The specimen which I brought from Sutton on June 21st, 
was remarkable for having all parts of the flower arranged 
in twos instead of threes. The flower buds in various stages 
of development, as well as the open flower, had 2 sepals, 
2 petals, 4 styles, ovary in 4 segments. 
Nolte says that in districts where both sexes occur, when the 
fruit is quite ripe the pedicel bends out between the spathe 
