XIV. Observations on some Genera of Plants connected with the Flora of
Guiana. By George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S.

Read June 19th, 1838.

1. Symplocos, Ciponima, Stemmatosiphon, Alstonia and Hopea.

XN Pohl's Plantarum Brasilias Icones, vol. ii. pi. 157, 158, and 159, three
plants are figured under the name of Stemmatosiphon, and referred to Meliacea;,
on account of some similarity in the disposition of the stamina and the form
of the corolla, if considered as polypetalous. Adrien de Jussieu, however, in
a note added to his excellent memoir on Meliacece (M�m. du Mus. vol. xix.
p. 152.) adverted to the simple leaves, indefinite stamina, &c, as incompatible
with that family; but, misled by several errors in the details of structure
figured by Pohl, was unable to point out satisfactorily the group to which it
should be removed*. On the occasion of determining the plants collected in
Guiana by Mr. Schomburgk, I was struck with the apparent affinity of one of
them to the specimens of Pohl's Stemmatosiphons, which I had obtained at
Vienna, and was led into an examination of that genus, which proved to be
identical with the Linnean Symplocos, as first constituted, although differing
in many points from many of the other species which have since been asso-
ciated with it.

The genus Symplocos was originally founded by Jacquin, and adopted by
Linnaeus, for the S. martinicensis, which was thus characterized by Linnaeus
in his Genera Plantarum: "Perianthium monophyllum, semiquinquefidum,
parvum, laciniis subrotundis erectis. Pelala quinque, oblonga, obtusa, erecta^
superne patentissima. Filamenta plurima, subulata, plana, petalis breviora,

* The remarkable circumstance in particular of a trifid stigmate, with a quadrilocular ovarium,
figured in each of the three plates, does not exist in any flower that I have dissected of either of the
species.

226 Mr. Bentham's Observations on some Genera of Plants

serie quadruplici corollse tubo acereta, inferioribus brevioribus. Antherae sub-
rotundse. Germen subrotundum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine staminum.
Stigma capitatum subtrifidum."

The above character will be found in every respect, as far as it goes, ad-
mirably adapted to Pohl's Stemmatosiphons, as well as to the original Symplocos,
and to Aublet's Ciponima ; for although the words Pelala quinque rather indi-
cate a polypetalous corolla, yet their adherence at the base is plainly indicated
by the subsequent expression, Filamenta .... tubo corollte acereta.

L'H�ritier in the first volume of the Linnean Transactions (p. 174.) first
proposed the joining the genera Hopea {Linn. Mont. p. 14.), Alstonia [Linn.
FU. Suppl. p. 39.), and Ciponima (Aubl. Plant. Guian. i. p. 567- t. 226.) to
Symplocos, of which it became consequently necessary to modify the character
in many points, of which the most important are, Calyx superus quinquepar-
titus. Corolla .... campanulata .... petalis s. laciniis 5�10 .... basi in
tubum longitudine calycis coalitis .... Filamenta .... submonadelpha s. basi
inaequaliter connexa .... in plures ordines imbricata .... Germen inferum
.... Stigma .... subquinquelobum. To these were also added the carpolo-
gical characters, Linnseus himself not having seen the fruit of his Symplocos.

In regard to the relative situation of the calyx and ovarium (or germen, as
it was formerly termed,) there is here an inconvenience in expression still
adhered to generally by British botanists, although long since adverted to and
corrected by continental authors, who speak of the calyx as free or adnate,
instead of inferior and superior. In Symplocos and in all the genera associated
with it the tube of the calyx is generally more or less free from the ovary at
the time of flowering, but with the development of the fruit it adheres to it
more and more, till, at the maturity, the tube of the calyx becomes entirely
confounded with the fleshy pericarp, and the segments alone remain free,
crowning the fruit at the top,�a circumstance difficult to describe with the
old nomenclature, unless on the supposition, that during the maturation the
calyx moves from its original point of insertion.

As to the corolla and stamina, L'H�ritier's character, intended to apply both
to Symplocos, Linn., and Hopea, Linn., is not so correct as Linnaeus's for the
former genus, nor does it either apply with accuracy to the latter one, which
has scarcely any tube to the corolla, and in which the stamina cannot be said to

connected with the Flora of Guiana. 227

be imbricate. The stigma may as well be described as subquinquelobum as sub-
trifidum, for the carpellary number varies from three to five in most species.
L'H�ritier's character of the fruit, as far as it goes, applies to all his species.

Persoon in his Synopsis (vol. ii. p. 74.) adopts L'H�ritier's views in uniting
Alstonia and Ciponima with Symplocos, but again separates Hopea ; and Geert-
ner (Carpologia, iii. p. 139. et seq. t. 209. f. 1,2,3.) not only follows Persoon in
considering the latter genus as well characterized by a pentapetalous corolla,
pentadelphous stamina, and a trilocular drupe, but also re-establishes Ciponima,
distinguishing it chiefly by the stamina being in a double, not in a quadruple
row, as in Symplocos, the anthers bilocular, not quadrilocular, the drupe qua-
drilocular, and the embryo erect, not inverted as in Hopea.

Of all these characters, those derived from the corolla and stamina alone
appear to be of any importance. The quadrilocular anthers of Symplocos are a
mistake ; the position of the embryo, it is now well known, varies in Symplocos
in different seeds in the same drupe, and the number of cells of the ovary is
very variable, at least in the true species of Symplocos.

On these grounds, probably, Bonpland (PL JEquin. i. p. 180.), followed by
Kunth, (Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL Amer. iii. p. 256.) returns to L'H�ritier's opinion,
that the four genera form but one. In the first of these works Bonpland adds
to the six species then known eight new ones, and commences his monogra-
phic sketch with a new character, in which the corolla is described as " disco
epigyno imposita, polypetala vel monopetala; polypetala, petalis circiter 10,
duplici serie dispositis, exterioribus majoribus, basi in formam tubi arete co-
hserentibus, monopetala, tubo brevi, laciniis 10 ut in polypetala dispositis."
This is evidently taken from S. Alstonia (PL JEquin. t. 51.) and S. coccinea
(t. 52.) ; it is also applicable, with a slight modification as to the number of
petals of the inner series, to S. cernua (t. 53.), but is completely at variance
as well with S. serrulata and S. rufescens, figured in the same work (t. 54 & 55.),
as with the original S. martinicensis, Aublet's Ciponima, and Linnseus's Hopea.

The subsequent additions to the genus consist chiefly of Asiatic species, of
which S. sinica was figured and described in detail by Ker in the Botanical
Register (vol. ix. t. 710.), the S. Loha, Sumuntia, thecefolia, and cratcegoides
were established by D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepalensis, p. 144., the S. racemosa,
spicata, and ferruginea, by Roxburgh Fl. Ind. Or. vol. ii. p. 539. None of these

228 Mr. Bentham's Observations on some Genera of Plants

authors, however, appear to have much studied the generic character, which
they have taken more or less from some of the above-mentioned botanists,
Don observing only " Genus forte iterum dividendum."

Since the above I am not aware of any modification in the character or spe-
cies of Symplocos, until the publication of the last volume of G. Don's General
System of Gardening and Botany, where all the hitherto published species are
collected, those merely named in Wallich's Catalogue are described, the genus
is retained as established by L'H�ritier and Bonpland, but raised to the rank
of a natural order, and divided into three sections : Alstonia, containing all
the American species said to be distinguished by an 8�10-parted corolla, the
segments in a double row, stamens in 3 or 4 series, and a half inferior drupe ;
Lodhra, consisting of 17 Asiatic species, to which are attributed a 5-parted
corolla, stamens inserted without order, and an inferior drupe ; and Palura,
described as having the same corolla, with stamens in a triple series, and an
inferior ovary. Under this section are enumerated two remaining Asiatic
species.

These characters, however, by no means correspond with the specific cha-
racters given in the same work to several of the species, and will be found on
examination still more at variance in many instances with the plants them-
selves. Thus in the section Alstonia, three species at least have a 5-parted
corolla, the segments in many of them are not in a double row ; the stamens
of S. tinctoria are arranged as in the Asiatic species, and the calyx is as ad-
herent to the drupe in Alstonia as in Lodhra and Palura. In the latter respect
I cannot see any difference between the S. sinica and the several plants referred
to Lodhra ; and if there is any greater regularity in the arrangement of the
stamina in S. cratcegoides than in Lodhra, it is that they are more decidedly
pentadelphous and not biseriate.

Amidst all these conflicting opinions, after a careful examination of a con-
siderable number of both American and Asiatic species, it appears to me that
there do exist three distinct groups, which it might be adviseable to consider
as so many genera. In the true Symplocos of Linnaeus the stamina are erect,
the filaments are flat, rnonadelphous at the base, free in the upper part, where
they are distinctly imbricated in three or four rows, and suddenly attenuated
below the anther; the corolla is erect and adherent to the staminal tube,

connected with the Flora of Guiana.

often above the middle, and then suddenly expanded ; the segments are always
in a single row, (though imbricate in aestivation,) nearly equal in size, and 5
in number in the species I have seen, 6, or perhaps more, in some described
by Bonpland, and the ovary 3- 4- or 5-celled. Of this group I have examined
S. martinicensis, Linn., S. Ciponima, S. Arechea, L'H�r., Stemmatosiphon platy-
phyllum, nitens, and uniflorum, Pohl., Symplocos pubescens, Klotsch, and two
new species described below ; and, judging from Bonpland's figures, I should
likewise refer to it his Symplocos serrulata and rufescens.

As a second genus, or at any rate as a distinct section of Symplocos, I
should propose to restore Linnseus's Ahtonia, characterized by a more cam-
panulate corolla, with an inner row of small corolline segments, which may
perhaps be considered as an outer row of sterile stamina. I have only seen
one species, the Alstonia thevcformis, Linn., and of that I could only dissect
one imperfect flower, in which the inner row of petals was very irregular, and
certainly took the place of some of the external stamina. I should associate
with it Bonpland's Symplocos cernua and coccinea, judging from the figures,
and perhaps also Symplocos tomentosa, Bonpl., and S. octopetala, Swartz.
But it would require a re-examination of all these species to determine the
importance of the inner row of petals as characterizing a section or a
genus.

In the third very distinct genus, Hopea, Linn, (not Roxb.), the aspect of the
flower is very different ; the corolla is almost rotate, constantly uniseriate at
the base, though the divisions be imbricate, and 5- or 6-cleft; the stamina are
also spreading, their filaments slender, but slightly connected at the base, often
somewhat pentadelphous, and usually longer than the corolla. I have also
never found more than three cells to the ovary, (in H. sinica and cratcegoides
there are but two,) and the species appear much more apt to dry yellow than
in the true Symplocos. I would refer to Hopea, so characterized, H. tinctoria,
Linn., and the greater number, if not all the Asiatic species. Amongst these
the S. sinica, Bot. Reg., and S. cratcegoides, Hamilt., should form a distinct
section, as proposed by Don, but characterized by the bilocular ovarium and
comparatively slender stigmata. There appears also to be a considerable di-
versity in the fruit, which is pear- or bottle-shaped, and very small in S. spi-
cata, Roxb., S. polycarpa, Wall., and S. laurina, Wall., small, oblong, and

230 Mr. Bentham's Observations on some Genera of Plants

shining in *S. adenophylla, Wall., large, oblong, and rough in S. cerasi/olia,
Wall., large, globular, and rough in S. mollis, Wall., which appears very near
to S. ferruginea, Roxb. I have not seen the fruit of the other species, but I
have no doubt that, when better known, the carpological characters will afford
good sectional distinctions.

Of the remaining published species, the Symplocos nuda, Limoncillo, and
mucronata, Humb. et Bonpl. PL iEquin., and S. Schiedeana, Schlechtendal,
(Linnsea, viii. 527-) must remain doubtful, as their corolla has not been seen.
S. pentagyna of Sprengel must be omitted altogether, having certainly no
connexion with Symplocos. It would be impossible, indeed, without seeing his
specimen, to say what it might be, but at a guess his character reads most
like that of a Vismia.

The above genera, with Styrax, Strigilia, and Malesia, form a small order,
or perhaps a tribe of Ebenacece, established by Richard under the name of
Styracece, and more or less adopted by most subsequent botanists, but with
very different ideas as to its extent. D. Don, followed by some others, esta-
blished three distinct orders, Symplocinece, Styracece, and Malesiacece, the di-
stinctions between which are thus stated by G. Don : Styracinece are " very
nearly allied to Malesiacece, but differ by the decidedly superior ovarium and
the more deeply-cleft corolla, and from Symplocinece in the superior ovarium
and entire or slightly-lobed calyx, and in the stamens heing fewer and mona-
delphous." (Gen. Syst. of Gard. and Bot. iv. p. 4.) Malesiacece come " nearest
to Symplocinece, from which they differ in the inferior ovarium, in the fruit
being a hard dry winged nut, and in the corolla being more decidedly mono-
petalous." (Ibid. p. 6.)

It is difficult, however, not to agree with Richard in neglecting in this in-
stance, notwithstanding its great importance in other cases, the degree of
adherence of the calyx to the fruit : for it will be found that at the time of
flowering the calyx adheres to the ovary at its base even in Styrax, and is
rarely completely adherent even in Malesia ; whilst in the different species of
Symploco� and Hopea almost every intermediate degree may be observed.
The chief difference lies in this : that, as the fruit swells, it is the adherent
part of the ovary that is developed in Symplocos, Hopea, and Halesia, and the
free portion only in Styrax -, and it is, I believe, generally recognized, that a

connected with the Flora of Guiana.

diversity of form in the fruit, arising only during its growth from the state of
ovary, is rather a generic than an ordinal distinction.

Besides this difference in the fruit, Styrax and Striglila have a definite
number of stamens, but their insertion and connexion at the base into a short
tube is the same as in Symplocos and Halesia.

The character of Haleslaceas derived from the winged fruit loses what little
importance might have been given to it, when it is considered that it is not
the "nut" itself that is winged, but merely the calyx inclosing it, which in its
development becomes fleshy in Symplocos, and herbaceous and winged in
Halesia,�a good generic, but no ordinal distinction.

Lindley, in the second edition of his Natural System, besides the above
genera, enumerates under Styraceoe the five following : Dlclldanthera, Mart.,
Paralea, Aubl., Turarla, Molin., Morelosla, Llave, and Decadia, Lour. Of
these, Dlclldanthera is the only one which is satisfactorily described, and
Martius is evidently right in ascribing it to Ebenacea? ; but the separate inser-
tion of the anthers in the throat of the corolla remove it from the tribe or
order of Styraceoe : Paralea and Decadia appear also, as far as can be judged
from the very imperfect descriptions, to be nearer the true Ebenacece than to
Styraceoe : Morelosla must be very different, and may very likely belong to
Convolvulacece, where Don places it.

With respect to the affinities of Styracea? as an order, their alliance with
Ebenacea? amongst Monopetala;, and with Humlrlacea? in the first instance, and
in the next place with Mellaceoe, and perhaps with Aurantiacece and Olaclnece
amongst Polypetala?, has been already pointed out, and have only been con-
firmed, as far as my observations have led me ; but my object not being to
give a monograph of the order, I now merely add the characters which I
should propose for such of the true Symplocl as I am acquainted with.

Calyx basi ovario adheerens, limbo 5-fido, laciniis latis, eestivatione imbricatis.
Corolla gamo-petala, profunde 5�7-fida, basi erecta, laciniis apice paten-
tissimis, uniserialibus, eestivatione imbricatis. Stamina numerosa, 3�4-
serialia, erecta, basi in tubum corolla? adnatum coalita ; filamenta superne
libera, dilatata, imbricata, apice abrupte acuminata. Antherce ovatae,

232 Mr. Bentham* s Observations on some Genera of Plants

erectse, basifixae, biloculares. Ovarium basi adnatum, apice liberum,
3�5-loculare, loculis sub-4-ovulatis, ovulis pendulis. Stylus simplex.
Stigma capitatum, 3�5-fidum. Drupa calyce adnato carnoso inclusa,
putamine lignoso, 1�5-locularis. Semina in quoque loculo ssepissime
solitaria, oblonga, lateraliter affixa. Embryo in albumine copioso lineare,
erectus, vel inversus.
Arbores mediocres, vel frutices elati, in America calidiore provenientes. Rami
alterni, patentes. Folia alterna, simplicia, petiolata, integra, integerrima,
vel serrata, serraturis ssepe glanduliferis, coriacea, supra glaberrima, ni-
tida, subtus glabra, vel pubescentia. Racemi breves, axillares, pluri- vel
rarius subuni-flori. Rhachis et pedunculus ssepissime pubescentes. Flores
in pedunculo sessiles, vel breviter pedicellati, bracteis 2�5 laciniis caly-
cinis similibus suffulti. Calyces ciliati. Corolla? albae, vel lutescentes.
Ovarium apice et stylus basi hirta. Flores in plerisque speciebus odora-
tissimi.

1. S. nitens, foliis obovato-oblongis obtusissimis integerrimis subundulatis

ramisque glaberrimis, pedunculis multifloris petiolum brevem vix supe-

rantibus.
Stemmatosiphon nitens. Pohl f PI. Bras. le. ii. p. 88. 1.158.
Hab. in Brasilia? provincia Minas Geraes et Goyaz. Pohl!

2. S. murtinicensis (Linn. Sp. p. 747.), foliis oblongo-ellipticis obtuse acumi-

natis late undulato-crenatis basi angustatis utrinque ramisque glaberri-
mis, pedunculis plurifloris petiolum subsequantibus.
Hab. in Antillis. Anderson ! in Martinica. Jacquin.

3. S. laxiflora, foliis oblongis acuminatis basi angustatis margine obtuse ser-

rulatis, junioribus subtus ad venas ramulisque hirtellis, pedunculis petiolo
longioribus apice laxe 3�5-floris. Tab. XVIII.
Hab. in Bi*asil�8e montibus Serra Orgao dictis. Gardner ! PI. exs. n. 343.

4. S. parviflora, foliis ovatis ellipticisve obtusiusculis basi rotundatis margine

serrulatis, junioribus subtus ramulisque hirtellis, pedunculis 1�3-floris
petiolum brevem vix sequantibus.
Hab. in provincia Rio Grande. Tweedie 1

connected with the Flora of Guiana. 233

5. S. Arechea (L'H�r. Trans. Soc. Linn. Lond. i. p. 176.), foliis oblongo-ellip-

ticis obtuse acuminatis serrulatis, junioribus subtus ramulisque puberulis,
pedunculis petiolo pluries brevioribus dense 3�5-floris.
Hab, in Peruvia. Mathews! PI. exs. n.2016.

6. S. serrulata (Humb. et Bonpl. PI. ^Equin. i. 190. t. 54.). Species mihi ignota

S. Arechea; simil�s videtur, sed foliis subsessilibus facile distinguendo.
Hab. prope Popayan. Humboldt et Bonpland.

7. S. rufescens (Humb. et Bonpl. 1. e. p. 192. t. 55.). Nee banc speciem vidi.

Ex icone distintissima videtur.
Hab. in Monte Quindiu. Humboldt et Bonpland.

8. S. pubescens (Klotsch in Herb. Lindi. MSS.), foliis ovato-ellipticis oblon-

gisve breviter acuminatis serratis basi angustatis supra reticulatis sub-
tus ramulisque pubescenti-villosis, pedunculis plurifloris petiolum sub-
sequantibus, calycibus glabriusculis longe ciliatis corolla subquintuplo
brevioribus.
Hab. in Brasilia. Sellow!

9. S. platyphylla, foliis ovato-ellipticis breviter acuminatis obtusisve serratis

basi rotundatis supra bullulatis reticulatis subtus ramulisque pubescenti-
villosis, pedunculis multifloris petiolum sequantibus, calycibus villosissi-
mis corolla vix quadruplo brevioribus.

Stemmatosiphonplatyphyllum. Pohl! PI. Bras. Ic. ii. p. 87. t. 157.

Hab. in Brasili« provincia Minas Geraes. Pohl!

10. S. Ciponima (L'H�r. Trans. Soc. Linn. Lond. i. 175.), foliis ovatis oblon-

gisve breviter acuminatis integerrimis serratisve supra lsevissimis subtus
sparse hirtellis, ramulis pubescentibus, pedunculis brevissimis multifloris,
calycibus villosis.
Hab. in Guiana Gallica. Aublet ; in Guiana Anglica ad flumen Essequebo.
Schomburgk! PI. exs. n. 383. (foliis plerisque ovatis basi subcordatis), et
n. 276. (foliis plerisque oblongis basi rotundatis).

11. S.uniflora, foliis ovatis acuminatis serratis subtus ramulisque ciliato-hirtis,

pedunculis unifioris petiolo longioribus.

234 Mr. Bentham's Observations on some Genera of Plants

Stemmatosiphon uniflorum. Pohl. PL Bras. Ic. ii. p. 89. t. 159.
Hab. in Brasilise provincia Minas Geraes. Pohl.!

The circumstance of a polyandrous genus amongst the true Monochlamydece
is of so rare occurrence, that the first impression conveyed by an unknown
plant of that description is that of a defective polypetalous one ; and accord-
ingly, although some species or other of Seguieria occurs in most extensive
South American collections, I have usually found it amongst Swartziece or
with Securidaca, to both of which the genus bears some external resemblance.
For this reason, probably, not only no new species has yet been described since
Jacquin and Linnseus published the original S. americana, but even of that
plant no description has appeared but what has been taken from one of those
two authors. The affinities of the genus were entirely unknown, until Brown,
who had examined three Brazilian species, associated it (App. to Tuckey,
p. 36.) with Petiveria as a tribe of Phytolaceas.

The peculiarities of this tribe are there alluded to in the following words :
" The lateral stigma, the spiral cotyledons, and want of albumen in Petiveria,
remove it to some distance from the other genera of Phytolaceoe, and at the
same time connect it with Seguieria, with which also it agrees in the alliaceous
odour of the whole plant." The lateral stigma and solitary carpel is very
remarkable in all species of Seguieria ; in the seeds I examined, which were
unripe, I found a considerable quantity of mucilage resembling albumen, and
a small, somewhat curved embryo, with cotyledons by no means spiral, giving
me the idea that they were very similar to the seeds of several true Phytolacece ;
it is only when they arrive at maturity, in which state Mr. Brown examined
them, that their true structure may be seen. Although my specimens are
insufficient in this respect, yet the genus is so little known, and so remark-
able in other points, that I have added to the following synopsis of the species
known to me, a figure of one, in which the fruit, though immature, has attained

Perigonium calycinum, quinquepartitum, laciniis parum insequalibus, sestiva-
tione imbricativa, 2 exterioribus, 3 interioribus, per anthesin reflexis.

connected with the Flora of Guiana. 235

Stamina numerosa, basi perigonii inserta. Filamenta filiformia. Antherce
erectse, lineari-sagittatse, biloculares, loculis rima longitudinali dehiscen-
tibus. Ovarium sessile, liberum, uniloculare, ovulo unico erecto. Stylus
erectus, complanatus, hinc lateraliter stigmatiferus, inde membranaceo-
alatus. Fructus indehiscens, coriaceus, apice ala longa acinaciformi, uno
latere incrassata auctus, et in utraque facie alis 3�4 parvis irregulariter
striatus. Semen unicum, subrotundum. Embryo (junior) parvus, lipeaiis,
parum incurvus, lateralis, cotyledonibus rectiusculis. Frutices scanden-
tes ? Austro-Americani, glabri, vel ramulis leviter pubescentibus. Folia
alterna, integerrima, punctis minutis creberrimis pellucidis conspersa.
Stipula; induratee, persistentes, ssepissime spinescentes. Paniculce axil-
lares vel terminales, irregulariter ramosse, multiflorae, subaphyllae. Flores
flavescenti-virides.

1. S. parvi/olia, stipulis minimis tuberculiformibus vix spinescentibus, foliis

ovali-oblongis herbaceis basi in petiolum angustatis.
Hab. ad Rio Jaquby. Tweedie!
Folia vix sesquipollicaria, petiolo 3�4-lineari. Panicula terminalis, parum
ramosa.

2. S. coriacea, stipulis longis validis rectis spinescentibus, foliis subsessilibus

oblongis obtusissimis coriaceis.
Hab. in montibus Acurua provincia Bahiensis. Blanchet ! PI. exs. n. 2908.
Folia 2�3-pollicaria. Paniculce in exemplari meo axillares paucifloree.

3. S. longifolia, stipulis brevissimis recurvis spinescentibus, foliis subsessilibus

lanceolato-ellipticis acuminatis reticulatis coriaceis.
Hab. ad Mathea Barboso in Brasilia. Pohl!
Folia 3J�5-pollicaria. Paniculce axillares vel terminales.

4. S.floribunda, stipulis minimis tuberculseformibus vix spinescentibus, foliis

breviter petiolatis ovatis acuminatis coriaceis, paniculse rhachide pubes-
cente. Tab. XIX.
Hab. in Brasilise montibus Orgao. Gardner ! PI. exs. n. /22.
Folia 3�4-pollicaria. Panicula amplissima.

5. S. macrophylla, stipulis spinescentibus recurvis, foliis breviter petiolatis

amplis ovato-ellipticis acuminatis, paniculse rhachide glabra.

236 Mr. Bentham's Observations on some Genera of Plants

Hab. in Guiana Anglica ad flumen Essequebo. Schomburgk ! PI. exs.
n. 348.
Frutex scandens. Folia 5�7-pollicaria. Paniculce terminales amplse, axillares
divaricata?. Flores majores quam in praecedentibus, luteo-virides.

6. S.foliosa, stipulis spinescentibus recurvis, foliis petiolatis ovatis obtuse

acuminatis, paniculis terminalibus paucifloris basi foliatis.
Hab. in Guiana Anglica. Schomburgk ! PI. exs. n. 661.
Folia 1|�2-pollicaria. In�orescentia ab omnibus diversa.

7. S. americana (Linn. Sp. p. 747-)» ab omnibus differre videtur, foliis apice

The genus Anthodiscus was established by G. F. W. Meyer in his Primitice
Flora? Essequeboensis, p. 193, for a Guiana tree, which he places in Icosandria
on account of the insertion of the stamina : " annulo calycino germen cin-
gente." He compares it in that class with some Myrtacece, with Acacia, and
with Phytolacca ; but in a natural arrangement it differs widely from the first
in its free ovarium, from Acacia in its polycarpous structure, from Phytolacca
by the dichlamydeous perigonium. Since Meyer, it appears to have been
generally overlooked, not being mentioned by De CandoUe either amongst
his Thalamiflorce or amongst the polypetalous Calyciflorce, and being entirely
omitted by Bartling, Lindlcy and others in their enumerations of genera.
Sprengel took it up, however, in his Systema, and Meisner introduces it into
his Generic Tables as a spurious Rosaceous plant, allied also in its (imper-
fectly known) fruit to Phytolacca.

Amongst Schomburgk's specimens is one which answers so well in external
characters to Meyer's description of his Anthodiscus trifoliatus, that I have
little doubt of its being the same species, more especially, as I find a similar
specimen in Dr. Lindley's herbarium, proceeding, I believe, from Mr. Parker's
Demerara collection. These specimens differ, however, from Meyer's charac-
ter in some points of structuie, perhaps not much attended to at that time,
but which are now of considerable importance in a natural arrangement.
The disk from which the stamens arise is hypogynous, not perigynous,�a cir-
cumstance that removes the plant at once from Rosacea;; and the general

connected with the Flora of Guiana. 237

habit of the plant, notwithstanding its occasionally alternate leaves, and the
structure of the stamens and ovarium, show a close affinity to Rhizobolece.
It may, in short, be described, as far as can be ascertained without a know-
ledge of the fruit, as a polygynous Caryocar with cohering petals and leaves
often alternate.

It is true that Meyer does not mention the coherence of the petals ; but as
he speaks of their concavity and the caducity of the corolla, it is probable he
had not seen it open, and may possibly have merely separated the petals by
force to ascertain their form.

As a second genus of an order consisting hitherto but of five species, I sub-
join a figure of the plant and the generic character, referring to Meyer's work
for a detailed description of the species.

Calyx breviter cupulseformis, margine obscure 5-lobo, persistens. Petala 5,
concava, arete cohaerentia, disco hypogyno inserta, per anthesin calyptrse
more decidua. Stamina numerosissima, cum petalis disco hypogyno
inserta, basi brevissime monadelpha, interiora breviora, omnia fertilia.
Filamento filiformia, tortuosa, minute glandulosa. Antheroe ovatse, bilo-
culares, loculis rima longitudinali dehiscentibus. Ovarium liberum, de-
presso-globosum, radiatim multi- (circiter I�-) 'lobulare, loculis uniovu-
latis, ovulis peltatis, latere interiore affixis. Styli tot quot loculae ovarii,
oblongi, incurvi, stigmatibus oblongis, terminalibus.

Arbor Guianensis. Folia alterna, vel opposita, in caule articulata, trifoliolata,
foliolis coriaceis lucidis. Pedicelli breves, uniflori, bibracteati.

Species unica A. trifoliatus. G. W. F. Meyer, 1. e. p. 194.

Hab. in Guiana Anglica ad ripas fluminum Essequebo et Rupununy.
Schomburgk ! PI. exs. n. 512.

238 Mr. Bentham's Observations on the Flora of Guiana.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Symplocos laxiflora.
Fig. 1. Flower.

2. Ditto, with the calyx corolla and removed.

3. Portion of the stamina.

4. Pistillum, with the ovarium cut vertically.

5. Transverse section of the ovarium.

6. Vertical section of the mature fruit.

Seguieriafloribunda.
Fig. 1. Diagram of the floral organs.

4. Pistillum, with the ovarium cut vertically.

5. Branch with the fruit.

6. Lower extremity of the seed, with the outer integument removed.

8. Vertical section of the seed.

Anthodiscus trifoliatus.

3. Flower, with the corolla removed.

6. Transverse section of the ovarium.

7. Vertical section of ditto.

■t�fi Drake del-

Jftf� -Drake ��el



connected with the Flora of Guiana. 237 habit of the plant, notwithstanding its occasionally alternate leaves, and the structure of the stamens and ovarium, show a close affinity to Rhizobolece. It may, in short, be described, as far as can be ascertained without a know- ledge of the fruit, as a polygynous Caryocar with cohering petals and leaves often alternate. It is true that Meyer does not mention the coherence of the petals ; but as he speaks of their concavity and the caducity of the corolla, it is probable he had not seen it open, and may possibly have merely separated the petals by force to ascertain their form. As a second genus of an order consisting hitherto but of five species, I sub- join a figure of the plant and the generic character, referring to Meyer's work for a detailed description of the species. Anthodiscus. Calyx breviter cupulseformis, margine obscure 5-lobo, persistens. Petala 5, concava, arete cohaerentia, disco hypogyno inserta, per anthesin calyptrse more decidua. Stamina numerosissima, cum petalis disco hypogyno inserta, basi brevissime monadelpha, interiora breviora, omnia fertilia. Filamento filiformia, tortuosa, minute glandulosa. Antheroe ovatse, bilo- culares, loculis rima longitudinali dehiscentibus. Ovarium liberum, de- presso-globosum, radiatim multi- (circiter I�-) 'lobulare, loculis uniovu- latis, ovulis peltatis, latere interiore affixis. Styli tot quot loculae ovarii, oblongi, incurvi, stigmatibus oblongis, terminalibus. Arbor Guianensis. Folia alterna, vel opposita, in caule articulata, trifoliolata, foliolis coriaceis lucidis. Pedicelli breves, uniflori, bibracteati. Species unica A. trifoliatus. G. W. F. Meyer, 1. e. p. 194. Tab. XX. Hab. in Guiana Anglica ad ripas fluminum Essequebo et Rupununy. Schomburgk ! PI. exs. n. 512.

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			[ 225 ]

		XIV. Observations on some Genera of Plants connected with the Flora of Guiana. By George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S. Read June 19th, 1838. 1. Symplocos, Ciponima, Stemmatosiphon, Alstonia and Hopea. XN Pohl's Plantarum Brasilias Icones, vol. ii. pi. 157, 158, and 159, three plants are figured under the name of Stemmatosiphon, and referred to Meliacea;, on account of some similarity in the disposition of the stamina and the form of the corolla, if considered as polypetalous. Adrien de Jussieu, however, in a note added to his excellent memoir on Meliacece (M�m. du Mus. vol. xix. p. 152.) adverted to the simple leaves, indefinite stamina, &c, as incompatible with that family; but, misled by several errors in the details of structure figured by Pohl, was unable to point out satisfactorily the group to which it should be removed. On the occasion of determining the plants collected in Guiana by Mr. Schomburgk, I was struck with the apparent affinity of one of them to the specimens of Pohl's Stemmatosiphons,* which I had obtained at Vienna, and was led into an examination of that genus, which proved to be identical with the Linnean Symplocos, as first constituted, although differing in many points from many of the other species which have since been asso- ciated with it. The genus Symplocos was originally founded by Jacquin, and adopted by Linnaeus, for the S. martinicensis, which was thus characterized by Linnaeus in his Genera Plantarum: "Perianthium monophyllum, semiquinquefidum, parvum, laciniis subrotundis erectis. Pelala quinque, oblonga, obtusa, erecta^ superne patentissima. Filamenta plurima, subulata, plana, petalis breviora, * The remarkable circumstance in particular of a trifid stigmate, with a quadrilocular ovarium, figured in each of the three plates, does not exist in any flower that I have dissected of either of the species.