axil of each leaf, again, in the stronger specimens, once or
twice branching in similar order, but at a more acute angle:
not rarely the two branches of a pair are of unequal lengths:
branches and branchlets quadrangular like the stem, and
each, like it, terminated by a solitary flower, on a pedicel of
variable length; or occasionally the place of a branch is supplied
by a long-stalked flower. Calyx divided to the base
into 4 or 5 segments similar to the leaves, often rather unequal,
their apices sometimes a little incurved. Tube of the
corolla as long as the calyx, thin and colourless, cylindrical at
first, but swelling with the inclosed germen; limb of 4 or 5
rounded pink segments, shorter than the tube, not expanding
spontaneously (so far as we have seen) even in bright sunshine*.
Stamens affixed to the upper part of the tube; filaments
pale, thread-shaped, about as long as the roundish 2-
celled anthers, which open longitudinally, and do not become
twisted as in Erythrcea. Style thick and short; stigma of 2
rounded lobes, filling the throat of the corolla. Capsule
closely invested by the tube of the persistent corolla, and
crowned by its withered limb, ovate, of one cell, the edges of
the 2 valves being considerably indexed, but not meeting in
the middle. Seeds affixed at the suture of the capsule,
numerous, minute, angular, as from mutual pressure, their
surface punctulate or corrugate. The colour of the herb is a
pale dull green, appearing slightly pulverulent under a glass.
The flower is most usually 4-cleft. The stigma is generally
described as undivided in the genus Cicendia: Cosson and
Germain say bilobed, and so we find it in this species.
Probably the plant may attain a greater size in Guernsey
under favourable circumstances; but the tallest of our specimens
are scarcely 2 inches high, and, although none of their
flowers are clustered, they are more like Yaillant’s figure than
DeCandolle’s, whilst in habit they are more divaricate than
either. DeCandolle’s figure represents a plant of upright
growth, 4 inches in height; and we have seen French specimens
considerably taller still. He does not venture to pronounce
his plant (Exacum and Cicendia Candollei of authors)
a distinct species from E. pusillum; but distinguishes it by
the very slender habit, more glaucous leaves, flowers on
longer pedicels, rose-coloured, not whitish, and never crowded
at the ends of the branches—differences scarcely of specific
value. Indeed Lloyd asserts that it cannot be distinguished
except by the colour of the flower; and Grenier follows
Boreau in uniting it with C. pusilla, and says that it cannot
constitute even a variety, being merely a more developed and
elongated state, the flowers of the species varying in colour,
being rose, or white, or pale yellow. Griesbach also and
Woods testify to the variable colour of the flowers of C.
pusilla, and express doubt of the distinctness of C, Candollei.
—From the late Mr. W. Bo r r e r ’s MS.
* The 5-cleft flower on our plate was forcibly laid open, and the anthers
are accidentally represented as too long by half. The drawing was made
many years ago by Mr. J. W. Salter.