Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 2.djvu/45

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This is a small tribe including:, according to Lindley, only seven genera, two of which Barringtonia and Careya are found in continental India. Respecting this sub-order Dr. Lindley remarks "No characters have yet been assigned to these plants by which they may be known from Myrtaceae, except their alternate leaves without semi -transparent dots, and the presence of stipules. The latter peculiarity which has been assigned to them by Von Martins does not exist in any of the species I have examined, so that the substantial distinction is reduced to the first mentioned. There is, however, something so peculiar in the appearance of these plants, that one can hardly doubt that some good characteristic mark will be one day added to those they already possess."

One such mark certainly does exist in the seed, which Roxburgh correctly describes as having a simple inverse embryo the length of the ample perisperm or albumen as it is now called, and pointedly remarks on the similarity existing between the seed of these plants and some Guttiferae; a very sufficient distinction between them and true Myrtaceae, in which no such structure is known to exist. Hence it appears that, however closely allied by the flower, they are essentially distinct as regards properties, structure of the seed, and mode of germination. These are powerfully aided by habit, that is, by their alternate often serrated leaves without pellucid dots and by their 4 rarely 2 -ceiled ovary, than which, it appears to me, distinctions of much less value have been allowed to divide as nearly allied families. This last, I am well aware, is an argument of no weight, as it does not necessarily follow, that, because we have fallen into one error another should be committed to keep it in countenance, and would not have been used, had I felt any doubt of their being distinct. On these grounds I view Barringtonia, Careya, Fcetidia (the ovary of which I have examined) and some others, as forming, if not a distinct order, at least a well marked sub order of Myrtaceae.

Seven or eight genera have by different authors been referred here : three of these are of Indian origin, viz. Barringtonia, Careya, and Glaphyria, the last a native of the Moluccas, unknown to me. The other two are widely distributed over India. One (Gustavia) is common to tropical America and Java, and all the others doubtfully referred here, are entirely American or West Indian.

Little seems to be known respecting these. The bark of Barringtonia (Stravadium) racemosa is somewhat bitter and is said by Dr. Ainslie, on the authority of the vitians to have properties sbiiilar to Cinchona, while the root is considered valuable on account of its cooling aperient and deobstruent properties. Of Gustavia speciosa Dr. Lindley (Flora medica) remarks "according to Humboldt and Bonpland children are very fond of the fruit and become quite yellow after eating it, but in 24 or 48 hours they regain their natural colour without any remedy." The species of both Barringtonia and Careya are for the most part considerable trees. The former frequenting low moist grounds, the latter preferring more elevated and dryer situations, but I have not been able to learn that the timber of any of them is held in esteem, by either the carpenter or ship-builder.

On the two genera which compose the Indian portion of this sub-order there is but little room for remark. One peculiarity however I have observed, namely, that the number of cells of the ovary differ not only in different species but occasionally in different specimens of thdsame plant. When variations, in this respect, occur, I have found them indicated by the calyx, the lobes of which correspond with the cells. B. racemosa has usually a two-lobed calyx, and the ovary is 2-celled, but, sometimes, the calyx is three-lobed, and then I have found the ovary 3-celled. B. acutangula has a 4 lobed calyx and 4-celled ovary as Gartner describes : hence the generic character is neither ovary 4-celled as Gaertner has it, nor 2-celled as Roxburgh, correcting Gsertner, says it should be; but, ovary