Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 1.djvu/161

 speak of it in the highest terms, and seem to think it not less wholesome than grateful to the palate. It is remarkable that it has never been introduced on this side of the Bay, as it certainly seems a most desirable plant to have among us.*

Three indigenous genera only of this order are found in the Indian Peninsula, and are described in our Prodromus under the names of Helicteres, Bombax, and Eriodendron. These names Professor Endlicher of Vienna, in the course of a revision of the order has seen reason to change. The species, which originally formed the types of these genera are all of American origin, and on being carefully compared with the Indian species which have been associated with them, were found to differ so much, as to render necessary the separation of the Asiatic from the American forms. Under such circum- stances, it was incumbent on him in separating the former as new genera, to retain the old names with the American forms, to which they had been originally assigned, and give new names to the Indian ones. Whether the new genera recommended by him will be adopted by other Botanists is still uncertain, but that the readers of these remarks may have an opportunity of judging for themselves of the propriety of the changes, I append, for comparison, the generic characters of both the American and Indian genera, but without for the present, offering any opinion of my own on the propriety or otherwise of the change, as I have not yet had an opportunity of satisfying myself on that point by a comparison of the plants themselves, and written characters do not always convey, to the mind, a very clear or satisfactory idea of the differences which may actually exist, and be very apparent to the eye, though not easily described.

In addition to the species here figured there is another, or a very distinct variety found at Courtallum, approaching in some respects to Wallich's B. insigne, in the large size of its flowers. It differs, I think, specifically from B. Malabarica, in having the petals linear, nearly twice the length of the stamens ; the stamens many times more numerous, the filaments much more slender and filiform, and the anthers small in proportion. The flowers being fully twice as large as those here represented, and the relative proportion in the size of the parts being changed, added to the capsule being hard and woody, leaves scarcely a doubt on my mind of its being distinct, but notwithstanding, I refrain for the present from naming it as such, owing to my specimens being imperfect, and not sufficient to admit of my adequately characterizing the species from them.

Calyx tubulosus bilabiatim 5 fidus. Petala ligulata, ungue appendiculata, bilabiatim disposita. Staminum tubus carpophoro connatus, longe exsertus. Filamenta fertilia 5 — 10; sterilia 5 petaloidea, paribus fertilium staminum opposita. Ovarium longe stipitatum e carpellis 5 (cum staminibus sterilibus alternantibus). Styli contorti. Stigmata obsoleta. Fructus e carpellis 5 distinctis, spiratim contortis 1. rectis, polyspermus. Semina angulata, albuminosa. Cotyledones convolutæ. — Frutices præcipue Americæ tropicæ, foliis latecordatis crenato-dentatis dense tomentosis, floribus cymosis terminalibus, albis vel rubro-fuscis.

Calyx clavato-campanulatus subinflatus 5 fide bilabiatus, labio superiore producto. Petala ligulata bilabiatim disposita, 3 inferiora exappendiculata, superiora 2 appendiculo unilateral! maximo. Staminum tubus carpophoro connatus, longe-exsertus in urceolum ovarium cingentem ampliatus, filamentis sterilibus 5 liguliformibus minutis .... capsulae 5 in spiram arcte contortae. Species indicae. ''Is. corylifolia'' (Hel. Isora L.). ''Is. grewiaefolia'' (Hel. grewiaefolia Cand.).

Calyx irregulariter sub 5 fidus. Petala erecta. Tubus stamineus medio ampliatus apice in 5 crura divisus, antherosomata bilocularia longitudinaliter adnata recta gerentia. Stigmata connexa unicum capituliforme mentientia. Capsula lignosa 5 locu-


 * Since the above was written 1 have learned from General Bishop that there are two trees growing in Trichinopoly, and one of them has twice borne a single fruit, but on neither occasion brought it to maturity ; the first blighted on the tree, the second was blown down after it had attained a considerable size.