Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 037.djvu/216

 than vertically. Yet the Flowers and Seeds themselves are perfectly the same as in the other. This second Kind grows plentifully on the high rocky Grounds about Campechy, where I gathered it in Perfection in the Beginning of November, 1730.

I cannot guess why Father Plumier has called this a monopetalous Plant; for that which he calls the Petalum, and I the Placenta, is of a green Colour, and (which is of more Consequence) sustains the Seeds when ripe, and never envelops the Organs of Generation when young; so that I think it can by no Means be called a Petalum, nor even properly a Calix, and therefore I have given it the Name of Placenta, whose Office it certainly performs.

I have not been able to observe exactly the Structure of the Organs of Generation, because of their excessive Smallness; but they appear to the naked Eye as they are represented in the Figures I have given of them, and in ''Plum. N. G. Tab.'' 8. The Dorstenia Sphondylii folio Dentariæ radice, of Plumier, differs from both of mine; for in his Drawings done by Order of the late King of France, whereof I have seen a Copy in the Collection of the late Dr. Sherard, the Leaves are represented serrated, the Placenta quadrangular, and the Roots consisting of several Knobs tied together Lengthways. From which last Particular, I am persuaded that the Root of that Species is the Drakena Radix, mentioned by Clusius in his Exoticks, pag. 83.