73 
the Genus Sciaphila , Blume . 
ventral and basal, medial or subterminal, shorter or longer than the ovary, 
sometimes much shorter, sometimes much longer ; stigma filiform, clavate 
or globose, naked, papillose or plumose. 
Hermaphrodite flowers. In several of the species examined flowers have 
been found containing both stamens and pistils, and although the anthers 
sometimes contain pollen-grains and the ovaries ovules, it is uncertain 
whether both are ever perfect in the same flower. Some flowers may be 
functionally male ; others functionally female. These quasi-hermaphrodite 
flowers are often irregular as to the number and disposition of the parts. 
I think it will be generally conceded that the foregoing review of the 
range of modifications in the floral structure of plants referred to Sciaphila 
suggests further segregation. Bentham and Hooker, and also Engler, 
admit of only two genera in the order Triuridaceae, although Miers and 
others had long previously established five. Schumann more recently 
restored Peltophyllum, , Gardn., and Soridium, Miers, South American 
forms. 
A comparison of the Seychelles plant with Blume’s description and 
figures of Sciaphila tenella , comes out as follows : — 
Sciaphila . Seychellaria. 
Male flowers. 
Perianth-lobes 
Staminodes 
Stamens 
Filaments 
Anthers 
Pistillodes 
Female flowers. 
Perianth-lobes 
Staminodes 
Carpels 
Styles 
bearded at the tips 
none 
six 
undeveloped 
two-lobed, dehiscing 
longitudinally 
numerous 
bearded at the tips 
six 
fleshy 
shorter than the ovary 
naked 
three 
three 
distinct 
four-lobed, dehisc- 
ing transversely 
none 
naked 
none 
dry 
longer than the ovary 
I have some doubt about the correctness of Blume’s description and 
figures of the stamens. His description runs : ‘ Antherae sessiles, sub- 
rotundae, carnosae, paulum papillosae, loculis disiunctis ad margines sulco 
longitudinal! dehiscentibus/ If this is an accurate description, Sciaphila 
tenella differs, in this respect, from all the other members of the order that 
I have examined, and all the figures that I have seen ; but Beccari, although 
he does not discuss the point, evidently did not accept it as correct, because 
he refers several Bornean specimens having the characteristic anthers with 
transverse dehiscence to this species 1 . 
1 Since the foregoing was written I have been able, through the courtesy of Dr. J. P. Lotsy, 
