Page:Miscellaneousbot01brow.djvu/189

 COMrARATlVE VIKW. 171

Cochincliina, Gambia, Demerary, and the island of Trinidad.

I was at one time inclined to Ijelievo that Sphenoclea^ iniufht be considered as an attendant on Rice, which it verv generally accompanies, and with which I snpposed it to have been originally imported from India into the varions countries where it is found. This hypothesis may still account for its existence in the rice fields of Egypt ;^ but as it noAV appears to have been observed in countries where there is no reason to believe that rice has ever been culti- vated, the conjecture must be abandoned.

Hibiscus tiliacGHS, L. agrees with the plant of India, except in a very slight difference in the acumen of the leaf ; but the specimens from America have their outer calyx proportionally longer.

Sida jjcriplocifolia, L. corresponds with American speci- mens ; those in Hermann's herbarium, from which the species was established, have a longer acumen to the leaf : in other respects I perceive no difference.

Waltheria indica, L. I consider W. americana to [^4 be a variety of this sportive species, which seems to be common to all equinoctial countries.

TJrena americana, L. and JJ, reticulata, Cavan. appear to me not to differ specifically ; and the plant from Congo agrees with West India specimens.

Jussicea erecta, L. from Congo, agrees with West India specimens in having linear leaves ; a specimen, however, from Miller's herbarium, which has been compared, and is said to correspond, with that in the Linnean collection, has elliptical leaves.

Chrysohalanus Icaco, L. has its leaves more deeply refuse than any American specimens I have seen, but in this respect it agrees with Catesby's figure.

Guilandina Bonduc, L, from which G. Bonducella does not appear to differ in any respect, is one of the most general plants on the shores of equinoctial countries.

^ Rapi7iia herhacca of the Flora Cocliiiicliiiiensis (p. 127) is ccrtaiiil^v Spherioclea zeylauica^ as appears by a specimen s(Mit to Sir Joseph Banks by Loureiro liin»self. ' Dddc Flor, Egi/pt. illiisl. in op. rit.

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