[ 513 3

XXXIII. A Monograph of the Genus Disporum. By DAVIDDON, Esq., Libr. L.S., Prof. Bot. King’s Coll. Lond.

Read November 19th, 1839.

TO Mr. Brown is due the nierit of having first pointed out the chief cha- racters of this genus, and among others its binary ovula, which doubtless suggested to Salisbury the name of Disporum, subsequently given to it by that botanist in a list of Petaloid Monocotyledons, printed in the first volume of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London. The genus, however, remained undescribed, and almost unnoticed, until the publication of my little work on the plants of Nepal, in which I gave a detailed descrip- tion of it, and added to it two other species, namely, the Uvularia Pitsutu of Buchanan Hamilton, and the Uvularia parvifora of Wallich. Sir J. E. Smith. in an article appended to that on Uvularia, and inserted in the 30th volume of Rees’s Cyclopaedia, has referred the former plant to Michaux’s, or rather Richard‘s genus Streptopus, with the name of peduncularis. To this view of its affinities he was most probably led by the account of the fruit given by Buchanan Hamilton in his manuscript notes, for the specimen of the plant from that learned botanist in the Smithian Herbarium is without fruit. The characters of the genus consist in its campanulate perianthium, with the sepals produced into a short pouch or spur at the base, in the cells of its ovariurrl bearing two ovula, in its baccate pericarpiuni, and in its umbellate inflo- rescence. These distinctions will be found to be common to all the Asiatic species hitherto improperly referred by most botanists to Uvularia. As Di- sporum is as yet but imperfectly known, having been adopted in few systematic works, and as the species, now amounting to ten, are mostly undescribed, it occurred to me that a complete account of the genus might not prove unac- ceptable to the Linnean Society. This genus terminates the series of the Melanthacem, forming the transition 5 I4 Pro$ DON’SMouograph of the Genus Disporum,

fi*o~iithat family to the Smilacep, the chain of connexion between them being rendered complete by the intervention of a new genus, of which Streptopus Znnugi,ioszcs is the type. In the normal group of Melanthacece, which is principally confined to North America, the floral organs are persistent, and the partial decomposition of the trimerous pericarpi urn is almost universal. The Mdanthcece appear naturally to divide themselves into three groups, namely, the MeZanthece or Feratrece, in which the carpels are but partially concrete, the pericarpiurn capsular, with usually septicidal dehiscence, the flowers frequently unisexual, the perianthium less coloured, and constantly, as well as the stamens, per- sistent, and the rhizoma fibrous ; secondly, the Colchicew, in which the peri- nnthium is more highly developed, the sepals furnished with long claws often combined into a tube, the styles long, the carpels concrete, the pericarpium capsular with septicidal dehiscence, the rhizoma bulbous, and the floral axis naked and hypogEous ; and, thirdly, the Azguilhiece, having the floral organs frequently deciduous, the styles short, as in the first group, the car- pels completely concrete, the pericarpium capsular or baccate, with loculi- cidal dehiscence, a bulbous or fibrous rhizoma, and a leafy axis. The genus Cdchicum establishes an evident relationship through SternEergia and Crocus between Melanthacece, Amayllidece, and Iridece. The present genus connects the family with Stnilace&, and Tofieldia as clearly with Juncea?, whilst a comparison of the structure of Uvularia and Erythronium fully makes out their affinity with Liliacem or Tulipacece. In Uvularia, which is closely allied to Disporum, the perianthium is also campanulate, with imbricate aestivation ; the stamens adhere to the sepals at the base, and fall off together ; the peri- carpium is capsular, with polysperrnous cells and loculicidal dehiscence ; the ovula, which are arranged in two rows, are cuneate, angular, and carunculate at the apex, with the raphe forming an elevated ridge along their inner side. The flowers are axillary and solitary, and the capsule is turbinately triangular, and sometimes, as in Uvularia grandziftoa, three-lobed. The seeds are de- scribed by Linnaeus, Jussieu, Smith, and others, as arillate, but incorrectly, they being furnished merely with a fleshy appendage at their apex, resulting from an enlargement of the testa at that point. The same thing occurs in Erythronium, a genus belonging to the Liliacecz? or Tulipacea?, and which, ProJ DON'SJIor2ogmph the Ge?,us Dis porwn. 5 15

puadoxical ;is it may seem, differs only from I,Tvidurin in its habit, less deeply separated styles, and in the strictly marginal position of the cells of its an- tl1er-s. The class of Rlonocotyledonous plants offers a beautiful confirmation of the tiwth of the doctrine of the continuity of the series of organized beings ; and however much the universal existence of transition or osculant genera in this class may perplex the botanist who looks to the technical definition of his groups as the highest object of the science, we are not to exclude such genera from our researches merely because their presence renders the circumscription of our pretended natural orders more difficult, for they certainly form the most interesting part of the study of natural affinities. Being aware of the near affinity of Schelhammera to Disporum, I was induced to examine a supposed species of that genus, which anririally flowers and ma- tures its fruit in one of the green-houses in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, and I found that it not only diKered essentially from Disporunz, hut likewise from Schelhammern itself, constituting a distinct genus from both. To enable my readers the better to contrast its characters with Disporunz, a. description of that genus is subjoined to the present communication. Having, as I trust, sufficiently explained my views as to the affinities of Disporzm, I shall now proceed to the description of the genus, and of the species belonging to it.

DISPORUM. Sulisb.

D RA PIEZIA. Bl.

UVULARIXSP. Ker, Wall.

STREPTOPISP. Sm. Perianthiurn 6-phyllum, petaloideum, campanulatum, aequale, deciduutn : foliolis basi saccatis v. calcaratis. Stnmina 6, basi sepalorurn inserta, simulque decidua. Atithem erectae, extrorsae, biloculares, diiplici rim$ longitudinalitbr dehiscentes. Ouarium liberum, 3-loculare : loculis bi- ovulatis. Ouula collateralia, adscendentia. Stignzntu 3, recurvata. Pe- ricarpium baccaturn, indehiscens, turbinato-trigonurn, 3-loculare, 3-sper- mum, nunc abortu monospermum. Semina plerutnque soli taria, rarb bina, snbrotunda, fusca, ltevia, hinc convexa, inde planiuscula, hilo nudo VOL. XVIII. 3Y 516 Prof. DON'Sfifonograph of the Genus Disporuni.

basilari, chnlaz$ subapicali dilatatk orbiculnt% atro-fiiscil : testd mem- branace8 : albzinien copiosutn, corneutn. Enibryo in regione umbilicali, subclavatus, inclusus. Herb= (Asiatic=) peremes, rhiaomate rntnoso;fibroso, mztlticipite. Caules in- gulnti. Folia dilntatu, nzctrgine tenzcissind cartilu~ineo-serrulutn,pler*wnq tie subpetiolrta. Inflorescentia terminalis, umbelluta. Bacca nigru, trigorztr, nizg-u lis npice prominen t i bzis szt btriloba .

1. D. calcurntuni, uinbellis pedunculntis sub-5-floris, sepalis lanceolatis acu- tiusculis basi long& calcaratis, antheris filamentis stigmatibusque stylo triplb longioribus, foliis ovato-lnnceolatis sessilibus. Uvularia calcatatn. Wall. Cat. ?A. 5087. Hob. in montibas Silhet ad Jentya. Gztl. Gomez. 3. F1. Maio. (v. s. sp. in Herb. Wall.). Cnz~liserect us, proli fero-raniosus, cubi tal is. FoZia sessi lia, ovato-lanceola ta, acuminata, multinervia, glabra, subth pallidiora, 3-pollicariaYpollicein et ultra lata, irnb basi parh contracta. Umbella pedunculrtta, &flora, rarihs 2- v. ti-flora. Pedunculus semuncialis. Pedicelli angulati, vix pollicares. Sepala lanceolata, acutiuscula, viridia ? semuncialia, basi calcarata : cal- ccrribus unguicularibus, obtusis, extreinitate incurvis. Filamenta dilatata, antheris 3-plb longiora. Anthere obtum. Ooariuni turbinatum. Stylws elongatus, triqueter. Stigmata obtusa, recurvata, stylo ter longiora. This species, remarkable for the length of the spurs at the base of the sepals, was collected by Mr. Gomez on the Jentya Hills in Sylhet, a inoiin- tainoiis region on the north-eastern frontier of Bengal. The flowers, which appear in May, are apparently of a green colour, and vary from 2 to 5 in the umbel. The leaves are altogether sessile, not being narrowed at the base as in most of the other species. The inflorescence, as in the rest of the genus, is really terminal, although, from the prolongation of the branches beyond it, it bas the appearance of being lateral.

2. D. Wallichii, urnbellis subsessilibus subd-floris, sepalis lanceolatis acumi- natis, calcaribus rectis abbreviatie, antheris filamentis 4-plb brevioribus, stylo stigmatibus longiore, foliis ovato-lanceolatis subpetiolatis. PtwJ DON'SJhograph of the Gems Disporuin. 51 i

IJvulnria Hamiltoniana. Wull. Cut. yz. 5088, B k C. IZub. in Nepdiil ad Bunipa (Wallich); in Inontibus Silhet. F. De Silca. 3. FI. Maio. (v.s. sp. in Herb. Wall.). c'uicles erecti, ramosi, ulnares. Folio ovato-lanceolata, aeuminata, iina basi constrict% subpetiolata, 4 uncias longa, pollicem v. sesquipollicem lata. CTmbelZa subsessilis, 3- rarihs 4-v. &flora. Perianthiztm album, $ pollicis longum. Sepala lanceolata, acuminata. Calcaria recta, obtusa, sepalis 5-plb breviora. Arzt/iet-ce obtusae, filamentis dilatatis 5-plb breviores. Ouariuiiz ovatu in. Stylus stigmati bus ter longior.

This is included by Dr. Wallich under his Uvukuria Hamiltoniana ; but the acuminate sepals, great length of the filaments, and the nearly sessile umbels appear to me sufficient to entitle it to be regarded as a distinct species. The above description is taken from the Sylhet specimens, but those from Bunipa in hTepal do riot appear to differ in any respect.

3. D. Hanziltorziumm, umbellis pedunculatis sub-5-floris, sepalis lanceolatis acutis, calcaribus abbreviatis recurvis, antheris filamentorum longitudine, stylo stigmatibus subaequali, foliis ovato-lanceolatis subpetiolatis. Uvularia Hamiltoniana. Wall. Cut. 12. 5088, A. U. Betua. Hum. MSS. Hub. in collibus Morang (Buchanun Hamilton) ; in Emodi montibus. Royle. ?./ . (v.s. sp. in Herbb. Wall. et Royle). Cnules erecti, ramosi, 2-3-pedales. Folia ovato-lanceolata, acuminata, irnb basi constrict$ subpetiolata, 4-5 uncias longa, sesquipollicem lata. liTnibellu pedunculata, plerumque 5-flOra. Peduncrrlus et pedicelli longi- tudine subEqunles, semunciales. Perianthiuni album, semipollicnre. Sepala lanceolata, acuta. Cukcariu obtusa, recurva, sepalis triplb bre- viora. Anthercje obtusae, filamentis dilatatis vix breviores. Ocariunz turbinato-ovatiim. Stylus stigmatibus vix longior. Buchanan Hamilton's plant is from the Morang Hills, and his speciuiens are marked A in Wallich's Catalogue : to it therefore the trivial name Hamil- tonianum is correctly applied. The specimens in Dr. Royle's Herbarium appear to be identical with those above mentioned. The umbels are distinctly 3~2 518 Prof. DON’SMonogrtiph of the Genus Disporum.

peduncrilate ; the sepals are considerably shorter than in the preceding spe- cies, with the spurs recnrved, and the anthers as long as the filatrients ; whereas in the preceding they are four limes shorter than the filaments.

4. D. multzyorunt, umbellis pediinculatis sub-5-floris, sepalis spathulatis mu- cronatis puberulis, antheris filamentis dupl3 brevioribus, stylo stigmatibus duplb longiore, folk ovato-lanceolatis subpetiolatis. Disporuui Horsfieldii. Don in Pt-oc. Litin. SOC.ti. 5. p. 45. Drapiezin midtiflora. BI. En. PL. Jcru. i. p. 8. SchuLt.cfiL. Syst. vii. p. 312. Uvularia Hatniltoniana. WuU. Cut. 71. 5088, D. Hob. in JavA. Hor.$eZl. 2. (v. s. sp. in Herb. Wall.). CauLes erecti, ramosi, 3-pedales. Fulia ovato-lanceofata, acuminata, in& basi constrict& subpetiolnta, 3-4-unciaIiay 1-2 pollices lata. UnzbeZLn sub.. 5 - flora. PediceILi 11 nc ia1 es , ped 11 n c ulo longi o res . Per ian dhizcnt semu n c ia I e. SepaZa spathulata, mucronata, puberula. Calcaria obtusn, recta, sepalis G-plb breviora. Anthem obtosx!, filamentis dilatatis duplb breviores. Ouuriunt turbinatum. Stigmata stylo duplb breviora. Another plant referred doubtfully by Dr. Wallich to his Uvularia Hamil- toniana, but there can be no question of its being essentially different from that species. The umbel is elevated on a peduncle of considerable length ; the sepals are spatliulate ; the anthers only half the length of the filaments, and the style twice as long as the stigmas. The specinien in the Wallichian Herbarium was gathered in Java by Dr. Horsfield, after whom I had named the species in the Society’s Proceedings, not being then aware of its identity with Drapiex ia nzuZti3ora. It is only lately that I have satisfied myself of the identity of Drapiexia and Disporurn. The latter name, however, tias undoubtedly the right of priority, the volume of the Horticultural Transactions in which it first appeared having been published in 1S 12, and my Prodronzus Florm Nepalensis having been coin- pleted and sonie copies of the work distributed before the close of 18324.

5. D. Leschenaultianum, umbellis sessilibus 3-5-florisY sepalis ovato-lanceo- latis acutis basi gibbosis, antheris filamentis vix duplb brevioribus, stylo stigmatibus ter longiore, foliis ovatis suhpetiolatis. Pro$ Dox’s Mmogroph of the Genus Disporum. 519

Uvu laria Leschenaultiana. H’iiZZ. Cat. n. 5059. Hcrb. in Peninsulz IndicaF: nionti0as Neelgherries dictis (Leschennztlt, Wight); in Ernodi niontibus ad Massooree. Royle. 3 . (v. s. sp. in HerbWall. et Roy1 e). Caztles erecti, ramosi, sesqui- v. bipedales. Folk ovata, acurninata, im&basi con- strict&longih subpetiolata, 8 -pollicaria, sesqui- v. 2 pollices lata. U~nbelki sessilis, 3- v. rarihs 5-flora. Flores virides. Pedicelli semunciales et illtrh. Sepala ovato-lanceolata, acuta, vix seniipollicaria, basi gibbosa, vix saccatn. Anthere obtusae, filamentis infern&dilatatis fed duplb breviores. Stig- mata revoln ta, sty lo ter br eviora. Ovariurn turbinato-trigonum. The specimens in the Wallichian Herbarium of this very distinct species were collected by the late M. Leschenault de la Tour in the Neelgherries, IL considerable range of mountairis in the Indian Peninsula. The shorter leaves, sessile umbels, broader sepals, gibbous only at their base, and the greater comparative length of the style, will readily distinguish it. Dr. Royle’s spe- cimens from Mussooree in the western Himalayas have the leaves longer, and the flowers larger, but they otherwise agree with those from the Neelgherries.

6. D. Pitsutum, uinbellis pedunculatis T-g-floris, sepalis cuneato-lanceolatis obtusiusculis basi gibbosis, antheris filamentis ter brevioribus, stylo s tig- matibus duplb longiore, foliis lanceolatis subpetiolatis. Disporuni Pitsutum. Don Prodr. FZ. Nepal. p. 50. Schult. Jil. Syst. vii. p. 371. IJvularia Pitsutu. Ham. MSS. U. urnbellata. Wall. in Asiat. Res. 13. p. 379. Cut. n. 5090. Streptopus peduncularis. Sm. in Rees’ Cyclop. sub UvulawX Hab. in Nepali2 ad Chitlong (Buchanan Hamilton) ; ad Chisapany. Wallich.2 . (v. s. sp. in Herbb. Smith et Wall.). Caules erecti, ramosi, bi- v. tripedales, crassitie digiti minoris. Folia lanceo- lata, long&acuminata, 3-5-pollicaria, semunciaiii lata, subths ad nervos scabrinscula, iin& basi constrict& snbpetiolata. Umbella pedunculata, 7-9-flora. Pedunculus vix uncialis. Pedicelli scabriuscali, pedunculo longiores. Flores lutescentes ? Sepala cuneato-lanceolata, obtusiuscula, 520 Prof. DON’SIMonogrupIi of the Geirus Disporuni. in fern& angustata, 9 unciae longa, bnsi gibbosa, vix saccata. AntIieiw obtusz, filamentis infern&dilatatis ter breviores. Ouuriuin turbinntuni. Stylus stigmatibus recurvatis duplb longior. Bncca trigona, nigra, pisi majoris magnitudine, 3- v. rarilis monosperma.

The late Dr. Bnchanan Hamilton originally discovered this species in 1802 at Chitlong in the valley of Nepal, and gave it the name of Uuuluria Pitmtu, which specific appellation I adopted in niy Prodrontus Florce Nepalemis, not being then aware that the plant had been long previously published by Sir J. E. Smith in the 30th volume of ‘‘ Rees’s Cyclopaedia,” under the name of

Streptopus peduizczclaris, at the end of the article “ I/’uztlurin.” It is a hand- some species, and is well distinguished by its niany-flowered pedunculated umbels, and bluntish sepals.

7. D. puruijlorurn, urnhellis subsessilibus 2--7-floris, sepalis Ianceolatis aca- minatis basi gibbosis, antheris filamentis duplb brevioribus, stigmatibus stylo ter brevioribus, foliis lanceolatis subpetiolatis. Disporum parviflorurn. Don 1. c. p. 50. Schult.31. Syst. vii. p. 372. Uvularia parviflora. wall. in 1. c. 13. p. 378. Cat. n. 5091. Hub. in Nepali$. Wullich. 2 . (v.s. sp. in Herb. Wall.). Cuules erec ti, ramosissimi, I-4-pedales. Folia lanceolata, long6 acuminata, subths ad nervos orarnque scabriuscula, im&basi constrict$ subpetiolata, 2-3-pollicaria, vix ultra sernunciam lata. Umbella subsessilis, 2-7-flora. Flores omnibus minores, fulvi ? Pedicelli scabriusculi. Sepala lanceo- ha, apice recurvato-miicronata, margine scabriuscula, unguicnlarin. Filunieizta valdk dilatata, antheris obtusis duplb longiora. Ovariuni sub- rotundo-trigonum. Bucca trigona, siibtriloba, nigra, pisi magnitudine, 3- v. 2-, nunc rarihs abortu monosperma. This is a well-marked species, having considerably snialler flowers, and much narrower leaves t.han in the rest of the genus. The umbels are nearly sessile, the sepals merely gibbous at the base, and the styles thrice as long as the stigmas. In the Wallichian Herbarium are several specimens with mature fruit, in which frequently a single seed only is perfected, the two other cells being barren. Prof. DON'SMoizograph of the Gems Disporuni. 52 1

8. D. pzillicnz, umbellis sessilibus sub-4-floris, sepalis lanceolatis acutis basi brerithr calcaratis, anthcris filamentis vis brevioi.il)iis, stigniatil~nsstyli longitudine, foliis lanceolatis subpetiolatis. Disporuui pullum. Salisb. iiz Hort. Trans. i. p. 331. SchrtLt.JiL. Spf. vii p. 371. Uvularia chinensis. Ker in Bot. Mag. t. 916. Streptopus chinensis. Sm. i?2 Rees' Cyclop. sub Uuularid. Hab. in Chin$. 2. (v.v.c. et F. in Herb. Smith).

Cadis erectus, ramosus, angulatus, cubitalis, ramis triqaetris. Foliu lanceolata, long&acuminata, im; basi constrict; subpetiolata, subths ad nervos oratn- que scabriuscula, 3-pollicaria, semunciam et ultr8 lata. Umbella sessilis, plerumque 3- v. 4-flora, rarihs 2- v. 5-flora. Pedicelli semunciales, 6-angulati, angulis scabrinsculis. Flores intens& fulvi. Sepala lanceo- lata, acuta, subconduplicata, carinata, sem uncialia, margine scnbriuscula. Culcuria recta, obtnsa, sepalis 4-plb breviora. Filamenta infern&dilatata, complanata. Antheme obtusae, fey&longitudine filamentoruni. Ounriunz 3-gonum, turbinatum. Stignzatn recurvata, dorso carinata, superficie minuti: papillosa, styli triquetri longitudine. This is the species upon which the genus was originally proposed to be founded. It has been cultivated in our collections for a considerable period, having been first introduced in 1801 into the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew from China, but its actual native locality is still unknown. Its proper place in the genus is evidently near parvi3orum, with which it accords in habit, and in several other respects. The umbels are sessile, and few-flowered; the sepals calcarate at the base ; and the anthers are about equal in length to the filaments, as the style is to the stigmas. The trivial name of this species is inadvertently printed " fulvum " in the Prodrornzts Flom Nepalensis, and in the Society's Proceedings. Having thus completed my account of Disporzsm, I shall now add a descrip- tion of the genus already noticed in my introductory rernarks. Y~wj:DON'S Monograph oftire Gems Disporuni.

KREYSIGIA. Reichenb.

TRIPLADENIA.0072.

Periunthium 6-phylluin, petaloideurn, patens, aeqaale, deciduum : folio& aebti- vatione involutis, bnsi biappendiculatis ! sessilibus. Stamina 6, toro, nec basi sepaloram insertn. Anther@ erect=, extrorsq biloculares, duylici rim& longitudinali dehisceutes. Ouarium liberum, 3-loculare : loculis bi- ovulatis : oculis collateralibus, erectis. Stigmata 3, recurvata. Pericar- pium subbaccatu tn, 3-loculare, $-valve, ioculicido-dehiscens : loculis 1-2- sperrnis. Seniina suborbiculatn, hinc convexa, inde angulata v. concavi- uscula, glabra, nitida, colore succinea, hilo maxiin& fungoso-strophiolato, chalazg orbiculatb concava fiiscii, rhaphe dimidio seminis vix breviori, elevatii : testd membranaceii : albumen corneurn. (Embryo juxta basin clorsi seiniiiis minutus, rectus, albumine inclusus. R. Brown.). Herba (Novae Hollandiz) peremis, rhixomate diviso jibroso multicipite, cauli- bus subsimplicibus, multangulis, minutd papuloso-scabris. Folia amplexi- caulia, ovato-lanceolata, cicztrninata, multinervia, subtzis punctis scabra, sup& Icevia. Pedunculi uxillares, solitarii, su~filifrmes,unij?ori, infrd medium subarticulati, involucelloque triphylto lineari-subulato muniti ; in- ternodio inferiore copiosb papuloso-scabro ; superiore longiore, lct3viusculo. Flores pallid2 lilacini. Sepala basi biappendiculatlx ! appendiculis (g-lan- dulis prorszis episepalis, nec staminum rudimentis) submarginalibus, com- pressis, palmato-tr$dis, rarb $-J(idis, albis, lobis glanduld luted minut2 papillosd capitatis. Filainenta subulata, distincta, basi dilatata, liberu, nec sepalis adnata. Anthem oblongm, obtuscn?, albm. Stylus brevis, criis- &us, trigonus. Stigmata 3, subulata, recurvata, stylo vix longiora, :lined (serie stigmatis) absorbenti longitudinali. Pericarpium fusco-purpurascens, subrotundo-trigonum.

1. Kreysigia multiflora. Reichenb. Icon. Exot. cent. 3. p. 11. tab. 229. excl. syn. Br. Prodr. Tripladenia Cunninghamii. Don in Proceed. Linn.. SOC.n. 5. p. 46. HaB. in Novb HollandiQ ad Illawarra. Allan Cunningham. 2/. (v. v. c. in Horto Reg. Kewens.). Prof. DON’S&Zonogi*nph of the Genus Disporum. 523 This genus is essentjnlly distinguished from Schellranznzera by its sessile biappendiculate sepals ; by the stamens proceeding free from the torus, un- connected with the sepals; by the cells of its ovarium bearing only two ovula ; by its somewhat baccate pericarpiuin ; and, lastly, by its axillary peduncles, which are furnished wit11 three small verticillate bractes. The presence of appendages, the spreading sepals, free stamens, strophiolate seeds, minute emlwyo, axillary inflorescence, and valvular fruit remove it equally from Disporum. My acute friend MI..Smith, of the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, first drew my attention to the remarkable appendages seated at each side within the base of the sepals, resembling those of Parnassia. Mr. Brown having pointed out to me the intimate connexion of these curious appendages with the sepals, and the entire absence from them of vascularity, I gladly seize this opportunity of correcting an error into which I as well as Endlicher had fdlen, in con- sidering thein as imperfectly developed stamina. These appendages appear to be of the same nature as those occurring on the sepals of Calochortzcs and of many species of Liliunz. The chalaza occupies the middle of the seed, which is considerably developed toward its outer and upper sides, and is therefore, strictly speaking, hemianatropous, the adherent funiculus, which is imbedded in the fungous enlargement of the integument or testa, not ex- tending beyond half the length of the seed. Regarding this retnarkable plant as a new genus, I had named it Tripla- denia ; but Mr. Brown having pointed out to me its identity with the Kreysigia of Reichenbach, the latter name is here adopted. In conclusion I rriay remark, that the cuticle of the under surface of the leaves, like that of Puris and Trillium, consists of elegant sinuously lobed, and somewhat stelliforin cellules ; the stomata are numerous, nearly orbicular, and completely closed, but not arranged in regular rows as in the generality of Monocotyledons. The testa is composed of cubical cellules, which are wore or less irregular in their outline, and of unequal size. They have thin walls, and are furnished with a distinct elliptical nucleus. The contained fluid is of a rich amber colour, and abounds with extremely minute globules appa- rently of an oily nature. The albumen consists of a homogeneous mass, of a horny texture, and furnished with innumerable and regularly disposed cavities VOL. XVIII. 32 524 Prof. DON'SMonograph of the Genus Disporum. filled with grains of fecula. The walls of the cavities or cells are very thick, and apparently continuous ; they are of' unequal size, and their section exhi- bits usually an elliptical outline. I am indebted to Mr. Brown for pointing out to me the situation of the embryo in this genus; and I avail myself of this opportunity of correcting the inaccuracies contained in my former description of that iniportant organ. The embryo is minute, nearly cylindrical, straight, white, and situated in a sinall oblique cavity of the albumen at the back of the seed a little above its base. This highly interesting plant was discovered at Illawarra in New South Wales by my late excellent and enterprising friend Mr. Allan Cunningham, and by him introduced into the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew in 1823.