31enispermece .] 
THE COLONY OE VICTORIA. 
27 
The genus here for the first time described would be merely regarded as belonging to a section 
of Cocculus, according to the definition originally assigned to that genus. From the latter, according 
to its more recent circumscription, as well as from Pericampylus, Sarcopetalum differs in connate 
stamens reduced also to a smaller number, and besides, like from most genera of Menispermese, in 
remarkably carnose petals, which surpass the length of the calyx. It apjDroaches, in regard to its 
corolla, therefore, and in at least partially connate filaments, to Stephania, thus forming an intermediate 
link between the tribes Cissampelidese and Cocculese, established in J. Hook. & Thoms. Flora Indica, 
i. 186 & 194. 
Sarcopetalum Harveyanum, F. 31. ; Cocculus Harvey anus, F. 31 ., Second Gen. Report on the 
Plants of Victoria , p. 9. 
In the forests near the mouth of the Snowy River. Found also near Parramatta by W. Woolls, Esq., 
so that this plant probably occupies many localities of the interjacent territory, which botanically is but little 
known. 
A tall liana, with thick terete stems, covered with brownisli-grey minutely waited bark. Leaves 
chartaceous, 3-5 inches long and broad, acuminate or exceptionally with a terminal sinus and then kidney¬ 
shaped, with 7 nerves diverging from the base, with copious netted veins, paler but not glaucous beneath. 
Petiole attached to the more or less expanded basal sinus of the leaves, 1-3 inches long, somewhat channelled. 
Racemes axillary or far distant below the leaves lateral, nearly from the base or only towards the summit 
many-flowered, 1-3 inches long. Peduncles slender, with many alternate lanceolate or subulate bracts, 
which are about 1 line long, rather persistent, alternate along its upper part and crowded towards its base. 
Bracteoles at the base of the pedicel solitary, similar to the bracts, clothed outside with the same minute 
brown almost powdery down which covers the pedicels, peduncles and sepals. Pedicels 1-2 fines long during 
anthesis, when fruit-bearing generally twice as long, occasionally bearing a second flower at or near the 
summit. Sepals lanceolate-ovate or lanceolate or ovate-cordate, always acuminate, only J-f fine long, 
appressed, deciduous. Petals in a single irregular row, smooth, £-1 fine long, quite blunt, hardly bent 
inward. Column of filaments veiy short, smooth. Anthers about \ line long, with two ovate cells, obliquely 
affixed to the outer side of the divergent free apex of the filaments, in age conspicuously distant from each 
other. Style rather rigid, brownish, almost persistent; its divisions curved, subulate and divergent. Carpels 
seated on a minute receptacle, 3-4 fines long, thickened and slightly carinate at the back, in age black ; its 
apex in gradual maturation of the fruit drawing downward until finally brought almost in contact with the 
base of the fruit. Endocarp wrinkled. Seeds compressed, almost kidney-shaped, but too much shrivelled in 
our herbarium to admit of precise description. The testa as usually membranous, and the albumen apparently 
but very scanty, if at all developed. 
This plant, which produces its flowers during the spring and beginning of summer, is dedicated to my 
esteemed and learned friend Professor Harvey, M.D., of the Dublin University, to whose indefatigable zeal 
we owe mainly the elucidation of our marine vegetation. This plant is interesting as offering, with several 
others within the eastern part of our colony and as far south as the latitude of Melbourne, the commencement 
of the tropical jungle flora, which in eastern Australia bears so much resemblance to that of India. 
The nature of the floral envelopes of Menispermeee has received in some instances a varied interpretation. 
What in describing Sarcopetalum has been assumed as external sepals, would, according to the views held by 
Wight and Arnott on the floral structure of some Menispermeee, be regarded as bracteoles. 
Supplemental Plate III. 1, male flowers, with bracteoles ; 2, side view of flower; 3, expanded 
male flower; 4, calyces; 5, side view of stamens; 6, stamens seen from above; 7, pollen-grains; 8, female 
flower seen from above; 9, side view of female flower; 10, staminodia; 11, pistils; 12, side view of carpels; 
13, front view of carpel; 14, transverse section of pericarp; 15, longitudinal section of carpel; 16, seed : all 
except fg . 16 and part of fig. 12 more or less magnified. 
