Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 2.djvu/259

ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.

137 not unfrequent on the Neilgherries and Pulney mountains, but probably introduced with seed corn and has become naturalized. Micropyxis seems rare, I have only once found it. Duby does not seem to be aware that the plant he has described under the nane of L. Leschenaultii is Walliclfs Clementsoniana, a name quoted by him among his non satis notes species, that and the accompanying- one being the only ones known on these hills.

Lysimachia deltoidea (R. W.), procumbent, extremities of the branches ascending densely pubescent, hairs jointed: leaves subsessile, opposite or whorled, ovate, obtuse, sparingly sprinkled on both sides with jointed pubescence : peduncles axillary, solitary, about the length of or exceeding the leaves ; fructiferous ones refiexed :

calyx lobes lanceolate, pilose, perforated with numerous translucent orange coloured glands : corolla rotate sometimes glanduliferous : filaments short, monodelphous at the base, anthers sub-triangular : seed hispid. Neilgherries, Pulney mountains, Ceylon. This species is nearly allied to L. nemorum but is certainly distinct.

1. Lylsimachea deltoidea, flowering branch, natural size.

2. Detached corolla and stamens.

3. Anthers.

4. Calyx and ovary.

5. Ovary cut vertically.

6. cut transversely.

7. Capsule full grown.

8. Capsule detached.

9. cut vertically.

10. transversely.

11. Placenta and seed detached.

12. 13. Seed upper and under surface.

14. cut transversely showing the embryo in situ.

15. Upper and under surface of leaves.

This order was, almost unknown to Jussieu, the few genera he knew, appertaining to it, being referred to allied orders, Myrsine itself to Sapotacece. To Mr. Brown we are indebted for its first separation and limitation. Ventenant had previously indicated it as distinct from Sapotacece, but seems to have been imperfectly acquainted with its peculiarities. Since estab- lished and defined by Mr. Brown it has been retained by all Botanists. The latest writer on the subject, Alph. De Candolle, has thrown much light on its genera and species which, under his hands, have become very numerous ; now amounting, according to Lindley's enumeration to 30 genera and 320 species, but he includes Theophrastece which D. C. separates as a distinct order. As an order its prominent characteristics are its bearing the stamens opposite the lobes of the corolla having a 1-celled ovary and a central free placenta covered with ovules immersed in alveolae or sockets. They are nearly all shrubs or trees, and for the most part tropical, a few however extending nearly 20 degrees on either side of that zone. By these marks they are best distinguished from Primulaceae which are nearly all herbaceous and extra-tropical.

Flowers bisexual or sometimes unisexual. Calyx 4-5-cleft persistent. Corolla usually deeply 4-5-cleft, rarely 4 petaled, equal. Stamens 4-5 opposite the lobes of the corolla, into the base of which they are inserted ; filaments distinct rarely con- nate sometimes wanting ; anthers attached by their emarginate base, two-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary free, or partially adherent with a single cell and a free central placenta, in which is immersed the campulitropal ovules; style 1 short; stigma lobed or undivided. Fruit drupaceous or baccate, usually one-seeded sometimes with two or more. Seeds angular or sub-globose with a hollow hilum and simple integument. Albumen copious horny, of the same shape as the seed ; embryo taper, usually curved, lying across the hilum when the seed is solitary or inferior, and touching the hilum when the seeds are numerous and lateral ; cotyledons short. Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate undivided, serrated or entire, coriace- ous, smooth; stipules none: sometimes under shrubs with opposite or ternate leaves. Inflor- escence in umbels, corymbs, or panicles, axillary or terminal. Flowers small, white or red, rarely yellowish. (Lindley slightly altered.)

Under this head little can be added to what has been already said under Primulacece. The socketed placenta of Myrsineacece is noticed, but it would appear from