en / > rc = l- ' be ta Room. AT ONC O ing ‘ t t TURN Oo 4 Sic bo is the NE WITH, book h om 1S EN-D Th fr Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924053940619 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. VOL V THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. BY H. BAILLON, PRESIDENT OF THE LINN/EAN SOCIETY OF PARIS, PROFESSOR OF MEDICAL NATURAL HISTORY AND DIRECTOR OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF PARIS. VOL. V. GERANIACEA, LINACEZ, TREMANDRACEA, POLYGALACEA, VOCHYSIACEH, EUPHORBIACEA:, TEREBINTHACEA, SAPINDACEA, MALPIGHIACEH, MELIACEA. LONDON : L. REEVE & CO., 5, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, 1878. /CORNELLS Univ Wr. -RSITY LIGRARY PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND CO. LITTLE QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS. NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. XXXVI. GERANTACEA. I, BIEBERSTEINIA SERIES. We shall not commence the study of this family with the Geraniums although it owes its name to them; for they have not Geranium Robertianwn, Pema LURE Fig. 1. Floriferous branch. independent carpels, and the type in which this disposition exists is Biebersteinia’ (fig. 2-7). We shall then first analyse the flowers which are regular and hermaphrodite, with convex receptacle, This 1 Srepu. in Mém. Soc. Nat. Mose.i. 89,t.9.— (in Ann, Se. Nat, sér. 3, vi. 187).—B, H. Gen. DC, Prodr. i. 707A. Juss. in Mém, Mus, xii. 271, n. 1.—Scunizu. Iconogr. xii. t. 253.—H, 458.—Envu. Gen. n. 6044,—Linpt. Veg. Kingd. Bn, in Adansonia, x. 317. 471.—Javn, et Spacn, Consp, Gen. Biebersteinia ; VOL, V, B 2 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. bears, from below upwards, a calyx of five sepals, and a corolla of five alternate petals, imbricated in preefloration.' The - androceum 1s Biebersteinta Emodt. Fig. 6. Ripe carpel (2). Fig. 4. Diagram, Fig. 7. Longitudinal section of ripe carpel. formed of ten stamens, superposed, five to the sepals, and five to the petals; the latter are longer than the former. They have their filaments inserted below the ovary, united among themselves below, then free and each surmounted by a bilocular, introrse, versatile anther, dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts. "Without the androceum and between the petals are found five glands of variable form. The receptacle tapers to a thin columella supporting five oppositipetalous independent carpels. They are each composed of a unilocular ovary, whose internal angle bears a placenta, on which is inserted a single incompletely anatropous descending ovule with superior, exterior micropyle.” About halfway up the internal edge of this ovary is inserted a free style, which soon joins with the other four styles in forming a slender fluted column, with slightly swollen stigmatiferous 1 The petals are sometimes contorted (fig. 4). 2 With double coat. GERANIACEZ. 3 apex. The fruit, enveloped in a persistent accrescent calyx, is com- posed of five achenes with rugose reticulated surface; each contains a fornicate seed whose coats cover a thin fleshy albumen with curved embryo, the cotyledons being flat, or more or less folded, and the radicle conical and superior. Biéebersteinia consists of perennial herbs from Greece, the East, and Central Asia.! From the perennial stem, which is often short and more or less swollen into a tuberous mass, partly subterranean, spring the leaves, which are alternate, penni- nerved, dissected or compound, accompanied by two lateral stipules, often adnate to the petiole for a variable distance and bearing, like most of the organs of this plant, hairs generally capitate and glan- dular. The flowers? are disposed in axillary pedunculate racemes ; and each floral pedicel, situated in the axil of a bract, is accompanied by two lateral bractlets. : II. GERANIUM SERIES. The Geraniums’ (fig. 1, 8-14) have regular hermaphrodite flowers. The convex receptacle bears five free sepals,* disposed in quincuncial preefloration in the bud, and five alternate petals, also free, contorted or more rarely imbricated in the bud, and generally alike.® The androceum is formed by ten stamens, superposed, five to the petals and five to the sepals, the latter being shorter than and exterior to the others.6 Each is composed of a filament, dilated at the base, and free or united for a very short distance with the neighbouring filaments, and of a bilocular, introrse, versatile anther, dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts.? Outside the androceum the receptacle 1 Spacu admits seven species in this genus —Sracu, Suit. & Buffon, iii. 280.—ENDL. Gen. n. which Brnru. and Hoox. reduce to three. Lepes. Fi, Alt. iii, 225, t. 447.-—-Royiz, Himal, t. 30.—Bexz. Verz. Atl. Pf. 80.—Jaus. et Spacu, Jil, Pl. Or. ii. 108, t. 190-193.—Boiss. Diagn, Pi. Or. ii. 1138; F2. Ov. i, 899.—Watp. Ann, i. 152; vii. 482. 2 White or yellow. 3 Geranium T. Inst. 266, t. 142 (part).—L. Gen. n. 889.—Apans. Fum. des. Pl. ii, 388.—J. Gen. 268.—Gmrtn. Fruct. i. 383, t. 79.—Lamx. Diet. ii. 647; Suppl. ii. 738; Id. t. 573.— L’uErit. Geraniolog. 30-40.—DC, Prodr, i. 639. 6046.—Paver, Organog. 58.—A. Gray, Gen. Til. t. 150.—B. H. Gen, 272, u. 4.—H. By. in Payer Fam. Nat. 399. 4 Their apex often has outwardly a more or less elongated point. 5 But sometimes slightly dissimilar in size and colour, recalling thus the normal disposition of the Pelargoniums ; then especially the pre- floration is imbricated. 6 Voy. A. Dickson, in “Adansonia, iv. 187. 7 The colour of the anthers is often reddish, 4 NATURAL, HISTORY OF PLANTS. bears five alternipetalous glands. The gyneceum is free, superior, formed of an ovary with five ‘cells, superposed to the petals, saa mounted by a style which above separates into five branches stig: matiferous within. In the internal angle of each cell there 1s a longitudinal placenta supporting two ovules. These are collateral Geranium sanguineum, Fig. 10. Long. sect. of. flowers (4). Fig. 11. Fruit (8). or almost superposed, descendent, anatropous with micropyle directed outwards and upwards. The fruit, generally accompanied at its base by the persistent calyx,” is dry, surmounted by a style, and opens at maturity, so that each of the cells separates by septifragal dehiscence from the axis of the fruit.3 The cell rises elastically violet, or even bluish. The pollen is in spheri- cal grains, opaque; “on three sides an elliptical cavity; in this is a papilla which swells in water ; external membrane coarse or papillose”’ (H. Mont, in dan. Se. Nat. sér. 2, iii. 386). The pollen is generally the same as in Erodium Pelargonium, etc. 1They have two coats. Sometimes one of the two ovules being displaced it becomes more or less obliquely ascendent. . ? They are generally applied to the young fruit after the fall of the petals. 3 Hormerster has studied this phenomenon of. dehiscence in a work where he has also shown how the cells are prolonged above into GERANIACE. 5 from below upwards, supported below by a long tongue which separates ftom the style above the cell, and curves or coils itself spirally Thus one -or two seeds are a at liberty, each at. first enclosed in a cell, containing under their coats‘a not very thick and: Geranium Robertianun, Fig, 12, ‘Dehiscent fruit. Fig. 13. Seed (4). “Bigs. Embryo. « fleshy albumen, often reduced to a membranous layer, and envelop- ing an embryo whose radicle is incumbent to the folded-induplicate. or convoluted cotyledons.? The Geraniums are herbaceous | plants or more rarely suffrutescent, with branches knotted or articulated at the insertion of the leaves. These are alternate or opposite,? petio- late, accompanied by two lateral stipules with limb dentate digiti- neryed or more rarely penninerved, lobed or dissected. The flowers* are united in various numbers,> in uniparous cymes, often taken for short racemes or umbels, on a common peduncle,:axillary or lateral five channels furnished inwardly with hairs, the between the folds. The seed is very often de- | channels terminating below the stigmata. These channels conduct to a cleft opening be- tween the two ovules of the same cell, and show there the presence of a papillose tissue conduct- ing to the micropyle, and whichis doubiless an obturator (see Flora, 1864, 401). _. 1 This tongue is very hygrometric, and in the fruit at one period the carpels are clearly raised (fig. 11). The inner surface and edges of the tongues are often glabrous. 2 The embryo is often green. There is often only a very small quantify of mucous albumen™ formed, and more or less pressed out of shape by ~ the neighbouring seed, and the walls of the peri- carp. % Jn the latter case they are sometimes even in false pairs, the youngest being drawn on level or nearly so with the older one; we may also observe in this genus false verticels of leaves. 4 White, pink, violet, bluish, or of a more or less dark purple, sometimes coloured purple on a white ground. 5 Often only one or F LWv9; the youngest being i lateral. 6 NATORAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. to the leaves or clearly terminal.1 Some hundred species’ are known ; but on account of being reckoned twice over the number is some- times made a hundred and fifty, or more. They inhabit all the temperate regions of the world, and the more elevated and cooler parts of the mountains in tropical and subtropical regions. Erodiwm,’ formerly united to the Geraniums, has been artificially separated as a genus because its oppositipetalous stamens are sterile and reduced to squamiform filaments. Their fruits present differences of little value* and their organs of vegetation are the same. fifty species are described® inhabiting the temperate regions. Some Some are found in South Africa and Australia. Monsonia,® numbering some fifteen species,’ inhabiting South and Eastern Africa, and tropical Western Asia, consists on the contrary of Geraniums with fifteen stamens which seem to form, at the adult age, five alternipetalous bundles. larger than the rest and superposed to a sepal, stamens forming a pair at first oppositipetalous.® In each bundle is a central stamen the lateral This genus, which has been divided into three sections,*® belongs to Southern and Eastern Africa, and to the East. 1 Whence it results that when the inflorescence is lateral or oppositifolius, it is often drawn up and raised. 2 Cav. Diss. t. 76-97, 124-126 (part). —REIcuB. Ic. Fl, Germ. t. 187-198.—H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Spee. v. 229.—Gren, et Goon. Fl. de Fr. i. 297, 313.—Sisru. Fl. Gree. t. 659-661,—Srev. in Mém, Soc. Hist, Nat. Mose. iv. 50, t. 5.—Borss. Fi. Or. i. 869.—Jacquzm. Voy, Bot., t. 37, 38.— Watt. Pl, As, Rar. t. 209.—Wient, Ill, t. 59.— Bentu. Fi, Austral.i. 295.—Hanrv. et Sonn. Fi. Cap. i. 257.—Hoox. vr. Fl. Antarct. t.5; Man. N.-Zeal. Fl. 35.—Hoox. Icon. t. 198.—A, 8. H. Fil. Bras. Mer. i. t. 20.—C. Gay, Fl. Chil. i. 387. —Ouiv. Fl. Trop. Afr, i. 290.—A. Gray, Man. ed, 5, 107; Unit. St. Expl. Exp. Bot. i. 308, t. 29-31.—Cuarm, Fv. S. Unit. St. 65,—Watpr. Rep, i. 4473 di, 819; v. 389; Ann. i, 1895 ii 234; iv, 395; vii. 483. 3Liner. Geraniolog, t. 1-6.—DC. Prodm. i. 644.—Spacu, Suit. & Buffon, iii. 803.—Mutssy. Gen, 57.— Envi. Gen. n. 6045.—A, Gray, Gen. Ili. t. 151,—B. H. Gen, 272, u. 5.—H. Bn. in Payer Fam, Nat, 400.—Scolopacium, Ecxu. et Zexu. Enum. 59.—? Isopetalum Swezer, Geran. t. 226 (ex B. H. doe. cit. 278). 4 The tails which support tho cells after de- hiscence are generally covered inside with long yellow hairs, 5 Cay. Diss. t. 76-97._Retcun. Ie. Fl, Germ. ' $. 1838-186 (Herodiwm)—Sinvx, Fl. Grae. t. 651-658.—Guen. et Gonx. Fl. de Fy. i. 807, 313. —Jaus. et Spacu, Zid. Pl. Or. t. 189, 203, 204. —Boiss. Fl. Or. i. 884.—Hanv. et Sonp, Fi. Cap. i. 258.—Oniy. Fl. Trop. Afr. i. 292.—BENnTH, Ft, Austral. i, 297.—A. Gray, Man. ed. 5, 108 ; Unit, St. Expl. Exp. Bot. i. 817.—A. 8. EH. Fi. Bras, Mer. i. t.19.—Watp. Rep. i. 445; ii. 818; v. 379; Ann. i. 187, 965, ii. 283; iv. 392. 6 iy, ‘Manilss, n. 1268.—J. Gen, 269.—L’uer.. Geraniolog. t. 41, 42.—DO. Prodr. i. 638.—Enpu. Gen. n.6049.—Parer, Organog. 62, t. 12.—B. H. Gen. 271, n. 2.—Holopetalum, Ku, in Linnea, x. 428.—Sarcocauion, B. H. Gen. 272, n. 3. 7 Cav. Diss. t. 74, 75, fig. 1, 2; 113, fig. L— Sweet, Geran. t. 77, 199, 273. —Wieim, Leon. t. 1074.—Borss. Fi. Or. i. 897.—Hany. et Sonn. il, Cap, i. 254, 256 (Sareocauton). —Ouiv, Fil. Trop, Afr. i. 289.—Watr. Rep, i. 451; .dnn, ii. 236. 8 Voy. Payer, Organog. 60.—A. Dickson in Adansonia, i lv. 198, 200. "9 1, Holopetalum (DC). Petals entire or emar- ginate leaves dentate or crenulate.—2. Odonto- petalum (B. H.), Petalsdentate. Leaves lobed or multifid. Sarcocaulon (DC. Prodr. i. 638). GERANIACEH. . 7 Pelargonium} (fig. 15-17) has been reasonably defined as con- sisting of Geraniums with irregular flowers. The sepals, five in number, are disposed in quincuncial preefloration in the bud, sepal 2 be- ing posterior and sepals 1 and 3 anterior. These two latter, like sepals Pelargonium inquinans, Fig. 15, Long. sect. of flower (3). Fig. 17, Dehiscent fruit (3). Fig. 16. Diagram. 4 and 5, which they cover, are inserted by a narrow horizontal base as in the preceding genera, while the posterior has a peculiar form and mode of insertion. The highly developed base is much curved and con- cave above, so that its insertion has the shape ofa horseshoe with long branches very near each other. Between this base and the corresponding side of the receptacle, which is furrowed, is found a long tubular cavity whose inner surfaceis glandular towards the bottom, and which forms a spur united or adnate to the pedicel. The corolla is also irregular, formed of five petals alternate with the sepals, and im- bricated in the bud. The two posterior are alike, as are also the two lateral which they envelop in preefloration ; but these have not generally exactly the same colour, form, nor size as the two posterior Fleshy plants with defoliate thorny petioles, and caducous or sessile limbs, small. 1Vner. Geran. t. 7-35, 43, 44.—DC. Prodr, kinsonia Sweet, Myrrhidium Ecxu. Otidia Sweer, Peristera Ecxu. Phymatanthus Swexr, Polyactium Ecxu. et Zevu. Polychisma Turcz. i. 649.—Spacu, Suit. & Buffon, iii. 307.—Enpt. Gen. n. 6048,—Payrr, Organog. 59, t. 13.—H. Bw. in Payer Fam. Nat. 400.—B. H. Gen. 278, n. 6 (incl, : Campylia SwExt, Cicontwn Swern, Cor- tusina Ext, et Zexu. Dibrachia Eoxt, et Zevu. Dimacria Sweet, Eumorpha Ecxu. Grenvillea Swzet, Hoarea Swert, Isopetalum Ecxu, Jen- Seymouria SwEET). 2 Sometimes we see the flowers of Pelargonium provided with three spurs of this kind, two of which are accidental, situated on the anterior side of the pedicel; the sepals 1 and 3 may in this case acquire abnormally the mode of inser- tion of sepal 2. 8 NATURAL. HISTORY OF PLANTS. enes. They are oftener more like the anterior petal in size and colour, enveloped by. them in preefloration, but which, being situated on the medial line of the flower, has its two halves sym- metrical! (fig. 16).. The androceum is formed. of ten stamens united. for a variable distance at their base, and disposed on two verticels, As a rule, seven of them are fertile and provided with a bilocular introrse anther, dehiscing by two longitudinal clefts. These are the five stamens superposed to the sepals and the two superposed to the posterior petals. The three others, or a larger number, are reduced to filaments sometimes very short or scarcely visible. The number of fertile stamens may be not more than five or three. The gyneceum. is quite that of the Geraniums,! as are also the fruit and seeds in which the albumen is generally wanting or reduced to a thin membrane, Pelargonium consists of shrubs, undershrubs and herbs, whose organs are often charged with glandular capitate hairs, viscous and aromatic. The leaves, alternate or opposite, and the inflorescences are the same as in Geranium. More than three hundred species have been described, almost all natives of central Africa. But the number of admitted species is considerably reduced and this region only really possesses about a hundred and fifty.2 There are three’ or four in North and East Africa,? and nearly as many in Australia. and New Zealand.* A certain number of distinct genera have’ been. formed of them which are now rightly reduced. to sections, the characters being drawn from the stems, leaves and flowers. distributed this genus into 16 ation: adopted - by Benth, and Hook : 1. Hoarea (Sweet, Geran, t. 18). _Herbe acaul. rhizom, tuberoso, -petalis 4, 5 (Dimaeri ia Swuer, t. 46;—Grevillea Swuer, sub. t. 262). 2. Seymouria (Sweet, -t. 206). Herb, acaul, - 1This petal may be quite wanting or very small, ‘The lateral petals are rarely wanting, but they. may be very small, reduced to narrow tongues, hidden by the sepals. 2 Arr, Hort, Kew, ii. 417,—Jace. Ie. Rar. t. 510-521.—Jaca. F, Eel. t. 97,—Cav. Diss. t. 97- 123 (Geranium).—Harv. et Sonp. Fl. Cap. i. rhizom. tuberoso, petal. 2: 259,—Watp. Ann. iv. 397; vii, 488. 8. Polyactium (DC. ; —Ecxn. et Zeyu, Enwun. 3 Fenz1, in Russeg, Reis. t. 3.—Botss, Fl. Or. 65). Herb. caulesc. rhiz. tuber. fol. lobat. v. i, 898.—Bot. Mag, t. .4946.—Watp. Rep, ii. pinnatim decomp, infloresc. « -floris, petal. sub. 820; Ani, ii. 237. equal. obovat. integr. v.' lacer. (Polyschisma ‘ 4 Hoox. F. Fl. N.-Zel. i. 415; Fl, Tasm.i. 57, Tunez. in Bull. Mose. (1859, i. 269). —Hozs. in Bot. Arch, t. 5.—Nexs, in Pl. Preiss. i. 163.—F, Muzty, Pl, Vict. i, 170, t. suppl. ii. Turoz. in Bull, Mose, (1858), i. 149, -421.— Bentu. FV. Austral, i, 298. 5 Harvey (£7. Cap, i. 260) has in this way 4. Otidia (Swern, t. 98). Caul. succul. nodos. ” fol. carnos, pinnat. v. 2-pinnat. petal. subequal. basi auriculatis. ° 5. Ligularia (Ecxx. et Zeyvu. 69). Caul. suc- cul. v. tenuis ramos,, fol. raro integr, sepius mul- GERANIACEZ, 9 III. NEURADA SERIES. Neurada' (fig. 18, 19) has regular hermaphrodite flowers, whose receptacle has the form of a concave cup. On the edges of this is inserted a gamosepalous calyx, with five valvate divisions, in the Neurada procumbens, Fiz. 18. Flower (2). Fig. 19. Long. sect, of flowers. intervals of which and outside them an equal number of bractlets are seen forming an epicalyx. The petals are five in number, in- serted perigynously like the calyx and androceum, equal, but little developed, contorted in the bud. The stamens are superposed, five to the divisions of the calyx, and five shorter to the petals; all are composed of a free filament and a two-celled anther, introrse, dehis- cing by two longitudinal clefts. The carpels, ten in number,? are tisect. v. pinnat. decomp. inequal. spathul. superiorib. basi angustat. stam. 7. 6. Jenkinsonia (Sweet, t. 79). Caul. frutic. - v. succul, fol. palmatinerv. v. lob. petal. 2, super. cet. multo major. longe unguiculato, 7. Myrrhidiwm (DC. ;—Eicnu. et Zeyu. 71). Caul. gracil. ann. v. suffrut. fol. pinnatifid v. pinnatisect. sepal. membranac. costat, et mucro- nat. v. acuminat, petal. 4, rar. 5, super. 2 majorib. stam, 5, v. rar. 7. 8. Peristera (Ecoxu, et Zuyu. 72). Herb. diffus. ann. v. perenn. (habit. Gerani?), fol. lobat. v, pinnatif, flor, minut, petal. calyce vix longi- oribus. 9. Campylia (Sweet, t.75), Caul, brev. sub- simpl. fol. longe petiol. integr. v. dentat. stipul. membran, flor. longe pedicell. petal. 2 super. late obovat. infer, 3 angust. stam. fertil. 5 (Phy- matanthus Swxer, t. 43), , 10. Dibrachya (Ecxu. et Zeyu. 74), Caul. debil. articulat. ramosiss. fol. peltatis v. corda- tolobat. carnos, (Aederaceis), petal. obo. stam. perfect. 7, super. 2 brevissimis. 11. Humorpha (Eoxu. et Zzyu. 77). Caul. herbac, v, suffrut. gracil. fol. longe petiol. palm. 5-7-nerv. lobat. v. palmatifid. petal. inaq. super. 2 latior. stam, perfect. 7 (Lsopetalum VOL. VY, Ecxt, et Zeyn, 76). 12. Glaucophyllum (Harv.). Frutic. fol. car- nos, simpl. v. 3-natim compos. lamin. cum petiol. articul. stam, perfect, 7. 13, Giconiwm (Swzet, t. 13), Frutic. ram. carnos. fol. cordat. v. obov. palmat. - oo - nerv. indiv. petal. concolor. stam. perfect. 7, super. 2 brevissimis. 14, Cortusina (Ecoxu. et Zeyu. 77). Caud. brev. crass. carnos., ram, (dum adsint) tenerib, suherbac. fol. longe petiolat. renif. v. cordat, lobulat. petal. subaeq., super. 2 latior. stam. perfect. 6, 7. 15, Pelargyium (Hany.). -Frutic. v. suffrut. ramos, haud carnos. fol, integr. v. lobat. haud pinnatipart. stipul. liber. infloresc. subpaniculat. pedune. super. umbellat. petal. 2 super. longior. et latior. stam, perfect. 7. 1B, Juss. in LZ, Gen, n. 587.—J. Gen, 336.— Gartn. Fruct, i. 162, t. 32.—Porr. Dict. iv. 476.—Lamx. Jil. t. 373.—DC., Prodr. ii, 548.— Enpu. Gen. n. 6401.—-B. H. Gen. 625, on, 61.— Newras Diosc.—Chamedrifolia Puux. (ex ADANS, Fam. des Pl, ii, 2938). 2 As in Grielum, five of the carpels or a smaller number may be wanting. These are the alternipetalous carpels or some of them. Cc 10 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. formed each of a unilocular ovary lodged in the cupular receptacle, so that the base is applied outwards to the internal wall of the cup, and the summit directed obliquely inwards. From this point springs the style, rising vertically, without adhering to the other styles, which have not the same length in all the carpels, each terminating in a small stigmatiferous head. The fruit is formed of from five to ten capsules which remain incrusted in the concavity of the receptacle. On the outside persist the calyx and epicalyx developing more or less unequal spines. In each capsule, dehiscing by an upper cleft, is seen an oblique seed the coats covering a fleshy embryo, with plano-convex cotyledons and cylindrical radicle. The only known species of this genus! is an annual herb growing in the sandy regions of North and East Africa. The stems, finally ligneous at the base, covered, like the rest of the plant, with an abundant woolly down, separate into branches which spread upon the ground, and are covered with alternate petiolate pinnatisect or lobate leaves, accompanied by one or two small lateral stipules (?). The flowers are axillary or nearly so, solitary and pedunculate. When the seeds are ripe, they germinate in the induviate fruit which they attach to the ground, it being often found at the base of a plant bearing the fruit of the following generation. On looking at the very singular habit and dull corolla of Neurada, we can understand its having been generally placed in a family very distant from the present.? But when we observe an inseparable genus Grielum,? only distinguished by its calyx without epicalyx, and its much developed contorted petals, in every way resembling those of Geranium, we cannot but admit that the Veuradec are Biebersteiniee in which the carpels are inserted in a concave floral axis instead of on a more or less prominent receptacle, 7. ¢., of the perigynous Geraniums. The three known species of Grvelum* are natives of the sandy and salt plains of South Africa. 1 NW. procumbens L. Spec, 681.—Forsx. 2y.- —niacee. Arab, 90.—Wient, Icon. t. 1596.—Hoox. Icon. 3L, Gen. n. 587.—Garrn. Fruet, i, 188, t. t. 840.—TZyibulastrum africanum, Lippi, 36.—DC. Prodr, ii. 549.— Envi. Gen, n, 6402. 2 That of Rosacee, with which they have —B. H, Gen. 626, n. 62. nothing in common but their perigynous cha- * Burm. Afr. t. 34, 58.—Tuunn. Fi. Cap, 509. racter. Bunmann (Geran. 1) and Sweer —Bunrcu. Voy. i, 286.—Hanry. et Sonn. Fi. Cap. (Geran, ii. t. 171), and later Puancuon in Voy. ii. 304, Linden, 47, admitted their affinities with Gera- GERANIAOEZ. 11 IV. BALBISIA SERIES. The flowers of Balbisia' (fig. 20-22), resembling outwardly those of Geranium, are hermaphrodite and regular, with a convex recep- tacle, five unequal sepals, quincuncially imbricated in the bud, and five alternate contorted petals. The stamens destitute of glands at Balbisia verticillata, Fig. 21. Gynaceum (3). Fig. 20. Long. sect, of flower (2). Fig, 22. Dehiscent fruit. the base are ten in number, superposed, five to the sepals, and five, more exterior, to the petals, each being formed of a free filament and a two-celled anther, with almost marginal dehiscence. The gyneeceum is composed of a free ovary with five alternipetalous cells, sur- mounted by a style with five thick branches, charged within and upon the edges with stigmatic papille. Each ovary cell presents, in its internal angle, a placenta supporting an indefinite number of ovules in two vertical series. The fruit, accompanied at its base by the persistent calyx, is a capsule separating above into five valves loculicidal at the summit, and allowing the seeds to escape which contain under their coats a fleshy albumen and an axile embryo whose radicle is folded between or upon the folded cotyledons. ‘Balbisia is composed of suffrutescent plants of Peru or Chili, more 1Qay. in Ann. Scienc. Nat. vii. 62, t. 46— in Mém, Mus. v. 231.—Ledocarponit Envy. Gen. Don, in Edinb. New Phil. Journ, xi. 276.—Ku. n. 6050.—Cistocarpum K. in Mén. Sce, Hist. in Linnea, x. 481.—B. H. Gen. 276,n.13.—H. Nat. par. iii, 380 (ex Enpt.).—Cruckhanksia By. in Payer Fam. Nat. 397.—Ledocarpum Desr, Hoox. Bot. Misc. ii. 211, t. 90. in Mém. Mus. iv, 250.—DC. Prodr, i, 702.—J. 12 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. or less charged with silky and whitish hairs. alternate or opposite, often tripartite, exstipulate. are solitary, terminal, pedunculate. The leaves are The flowers Immediately below the calyx are inserted about ten narrow elongated bracts forming an epicalyx.} Rhynchotheea spinosa. Fig. 24. Flower (3). Fig. 26, Bud without perianth ($). Fig. 25. Long. sect, of flower. Beside Balbisia is placed Wendtia,? consisting of plants of the same country, mainly distinguished by having in each of its ovary cells, reduced to three, but two descendent ovules with micropyle 1 The species, probably the only one, but very variable as to the thickness and the state of the surface of the leaves, is B. verticillata Cay. Ic. ined, (ex DC.).—Ku. in Linnea, x. 481.—B. peduncularis Don, in Edinb. New Phil. Journ. (1832), 277.—B. Meyeniana Ku.—Cnothera scoparia, R. et Pav. Herb. !—Ledocarpum chilense Desr. loc. cit.— L. peduneulare Linpu. in Bot. Reg. t. 1389.—L, cistiflorum Muyxn, Reis. i, 470. L. Meyenianun Ware. Rep, i. 460; v. 280.—L. argenteum Presu.—Crackhanksia cistiflora Hoox. loc, cit. ?Meryen, Reis. i. 807.—Ku. in Linnea, x. 432.—ENDL. Gen. u. 6051.—B. H. Gen. 2765, n. 12,—H, Bn. in Payer Fam. Nat. 398.—Mar- tiniera Guten. in Deless. Ic. Sel. iii. 28, t. 40 —Hyperum Presu, Epim. Bot, 211. GERANIACEZ. 13 turned outwards and upwards;! Rhynchotheca? (fig. 23-27), con- sisting of shrubs from the Andes of South America, having an ovary with five cells, biovulate, like those of Wendtia, but with apetalous flowers ;° and Viviania* (fig. 28- -30), consisting of herbaceous or Vwwianta rosea. Fig. 29. Bud, without calyx. Fig, 28, Bud. Fig. 30. Long. sect. of flower (3). frutescent plants from the same countries, of which the type of a distinct family has been made having regular flowers, with poly- petalous corolla, contorted as in Balbisia, whose petals however are valvate instead of being imbricate, the gyneceum being, like that of Wendtia, reduced to three. Sometimes there are only two biovulate cells; the fruit being a loculicidal capsule with two or three panels. The floral receptacle bears here, as in Geranium, some alternipetalous glands. loc. cit. t. 465.— Aulacostigma inerme Turcz. loc, cit. 150, Wap. Ann. i. 141, 4Cay. in Ann. Science, Nat. vii. 240, t. 9.— Don, in Edinb. New Phil. Journ. viii. 170.— 1 One species only, W. gracilis Muy. loc, cit.— W. Peppigiana Ku. in Linnea x, 482,—W, Rey- noldsti ENDL. mss.—WaLp. Rep. v. 330.— Larrea ? trigyna Kzz. in Pepp. Coll. Pl. Chit. iii. 129,—Ledocarpum Reynoldsit Hoox. Icon, t. 14.—Martiniera potentilloides GuitiEM. loc, eit. “2B, et Pav. Prodr. DC. Prodr, i. 637,—Enpbu. Gen. H. Gen. 275 n. 11.—H, Bn. in Payer Fam. Nat. 398.—Aulacostigma Turcz. in Bull Mose. (1874), i. 149. 3 Probably only one species but very variable, R. spinosa R, et Pav. Fl. Per. 142.—C. Gay, Fi, Chil, i—R. integrifolia H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Spec. v. 232, t. 464.—R, diversifolia H. B.K, Fl. Per, 142. t. 15.— n, 6049,—B." Ku. in Linnea, x, 848.—Enpu. Gen. n. 6058. —B. H. Gen. 275, n. 10.—H. Bn. in Payer Fam. Nat. 401.— Macrea Linpu. in Brand. Quarterl. Journ, xxv. 104.—Xeropetalon Hoox. mss. (ex Enpt.).—Cesarea Campuss. in Mém. Mus. xviii. 373, t. 18.—Kx. in Linnea, x. 435. —Enpu. Gen. n, 6052.—Cissarobryon Par. Fragm, Syn, Fl, Chil. 29.—Linostigna a in Linnea, x. 438, 5 Seven or eight species, Drxzss. Ze. a. iii. t. 41,—Hoox. Bot. Mise. iii. 148.—C. Gay, Fi. “Ohil. i. 396, t. 11, 12. 14 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. V. NASTURTIUM SERIES. The flowers of the Nasturtiums! (fig. 31-39) are hermaphrodite and irregular. They have a concave receptacle, in the form of a porringer, the posterior part being prolonged into a spur of variable Tropeolum majus. Fig. 31, Floriferous branch. form and size 2. Upon the edges of the cup are inserted five sepals®, quincuncially imbricate or valvate in the bud (sepal 2 being posterior and corresponding to the spur). The petals are often the same in 1L, Gen. n. 466.—J. Gen, 269; in Meém, Mus. vy. 230.—Lamx. Dict, i. ii. 86; Jil. t. 277.—Turp. in Dict. Se. Nat. Atl. t. 1883—DO. Prodr. i. 683.—Spacn, Suit, a@ Buffon iii, 4.—Enpu, Gen. n. 6063.—Payver, Organog. 77, t. 16.—Cuart. in Ann. Se. Nat. sér. 4, v. 283.—H. By, in Payer Fam. Nat. 403,.—B. H. Gen, 274, u. 7.—Scunizy. Iconogr, t. 258.—Lxzm. et Donz. Zr. Gén. 353 (incl. ; Anisocentra Don, Chymocarpus Don, Magallana 610; Suppl. Commers.).—Cardamindum T. Inst. 480, t. 224. —Apans. Fam. des Pl. ii. 888.—