S. macrocarpa. R. W. Shrubby, leaves pinnate, leaflets 3-5, oblong, lanceolate, attenuated at the base, acuminated above, quite entire : panicles terminal, corymbose small: fruit globose, about the size of a cherry, contracted at the base into a short podocarp.
Courtallum in dense jungles.
The large size of the fruit forms the best distinguishing mark : in all the other species it scarcely exceeds the size of a pea, in this it is as large as a moderate sized cherry.
SCLEROSTYLIS.
Of this genus there appears to be several species, all of which seem hitherto to have been confounded with Atalantia. Among my specimens I find the following series of forms each of which may perhaps be considered distinct species— and all distinct from Roxburgh's Limonia bilocularis our S. atalantioides. Taking that species as the original type of the Indian branch of the genus, it is distinguished from the following by having fascicled, subsessile, axillary and terminal, quinary, flowers: i.e. the calyx, 5-lobed: the corolla 5-petaled: and 10 stamens: filaments free, not united.
From this character all the other Indian and Ceylon ones with which I am acquainted depart in having quaternary flowers, some still further recede by having the filaments united into a tube as in Atalantia. Taking these marks as so many points of distinction the genus may be thus subdivided.
- Flowers quinary.
S. atalantioides W. and A.
- Flowers quaternary.
† Filaments cohering into a tube.
S. racemosa (R. W.) Thorns large, leaves ovate, more or less emarginate, racemes axillary, simple or branched : flowers villous, subsessile, petals 4, stamens 8, filaments united to near the apex, into a tube, ovary 2 or 3-celied, fruit globose.
Atalantia racemosa (partly) W. and A. Prodromus, page 91.
S. parvifolia (R. W .) Sparingly armed, leaves narrow, elliptic, oblong, slightly acuminated and emarginate at the apex, racemes axillary, solitary, or paired, about as long as the leaves, flowers rather remote, longish pedicelled, segments of the calyx pointed, petals reflexed, filaments united into a tube, fruit globose, small.
Atalantia racemosa (W. and A.) partly.
This in the size and form of its leaves seems very nearly allied to Roxburgh's Limonia bilocularis, but differs in having racemose quaternary, not fascicled quinary flowers.
S. ovalifolia R. W. Leaves broadly oval, attenuated at the base, very slightly and obtusely acuminated at the apex, racemes axillary, short, few flowered. Flowers short, pedicelled, filaments united to the apex ; ovary 3 (always ?) celled, stigma clavate.
†† Filaments compressed free.
S. Arnottiana R. W. Armed, or occasionally without thorns, leaves ovate, very broad and rounded at the base, acute, or somewhat obtuse, and slightly emarginate at the apex, flowers axillary, fascicled, pedicels 1-fiowered, or rarely 2 or 3 flowered, filaments free to the base, compressed, suddenly attenuated at the point, anthers cordate at the base, stigma clavate.
Ceylon. — Colonel Walker.
The broadly ovate short petioled leaves and congested flowers, afford the best marks by which to distinguish this from the following.
S. Ceylanica. Leaves oval, attenuated at the base, very obtuse and entire, or slightly emarginate at the apex : racemes axillary, solitary, about half the length of the leaves, many flowered, (20 to 30) flowers longish, pedicelled, filaments free, much compressed, or somewhat winged, anthers cordate at the base, stigma clavate.
Ceylon.
One or other of these or perhaps both go to form, I think, Dr. Arnott's Rissoa ceylanica. So far as my specimens enable me to judge they ought to be kept separate.
In addition to these 5 species I have specimens of another from Malabar, but being in fruit only, I refrain from introducing it here. I may observe in conclusion that it appears to me the whole genus requires further revision.
MICROMELUM.
The only specimen I have seen of this plant closely resembles Bevgera Konigii in form. It is every where clothed with short while pubescence, the leaves are pinnate, leaflets 7-11, ovate, acuminate, blunt, emarginate, somewhat oblique at the base. Flowers small, numerous, forming large terminal corymbs, the ovary thickly covered, with longish while hairs. Should this on comparison with the Java plant be found to differ, I would recommend its being called M. Ceylanica,
PARAMIGNYA.
P. monophylla. Of this plant I have seen two varieties, but not sufficiently distinct to admit of their being considered species.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 41.
1. Limonia alata— natural size. 2. A flower expanded. 3. Stamens. 4. Ovary, style and stigma, the calyx partly removed to bring them into view. 5. Ovary cut vertically, showing the pendulous collateral ovules. 6. The same cut transversely to show its 5 cells. 7. A full grown fruit. 8. A seed.--- 9. The same cut transversely. 10. The testa removed, one of the seed lobes showing the embryo next the hilum— all more or less magnified.
