Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 1.djvu/54

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
18
ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.

ascertained it to exist. Guatteria longifolia, Korinti, cerasoides, and suberosa. By this addition to the character, all Anonace(s.vth single seeded carpels, but having more than one ovule, or even with one ovule pendulous, or attached to the inner angle, and placed transversely across the cell of the ovary, will be excluded. In combination with this structure of the ovary, I have in all the above instances, found the petals nearly equal, and the connectivum of the stamens truncated, that is, prolonged beyond the anthers, and ending in a broad shield-like apex.

Four other genera have more recently been added, to the peninsular flora, jtrtobotris, Brown, Milium, Alph. DeCandolle, Lobocarpus, Wight and Arnott, and Orophea, Blume. The first of these is well known: the second is described, and figured, by the younger DeCandolle, in a memoir in the Geneva, Natural History Society's, Memoirs, but apparently from very imperfect specimens, since his character differs in some essential points, from numerous specimens, I have collected since my return to India, and most of them from the same station, from •which his was procured, namely, Courtallum. DeCandolle assigns to his, 3 sepals, and 3 petals, united half their length, and forming a bell-shaped corolla, at the base, that is two series of verticels. In mine, there are invariably three verticels, the two outer ones much smaller, both hairy, and sepaloid, in aspect, giving it the appearance of having 6, in place of 3 sepals, and a 3-petaled corolla: while the stamens are represented by DeCandolle as only 12 in number, and placed in a single series, round the elevated torus on which the ovaries are borne,while in mine, I have always found them, as in most of the other members of the order, numerous, closely covering the whole of the torus, and nearly sessile, in place of being furnished with a distinct longish filament. I think I have now two species of this genus, one of which, in spite of these discrepancies, I consider the same as DeCandolle's. Lobocarpus, I have not again met with, and have nothing to add, to what is contained in my flora. Orophea, which I lately found at Courtallum, in dense thickets, is a handsome shrub, but with small inconspicuous flowers. It is readily distinguished by having the inner, series of petals, much larger than the outer, and attenuated at the base, into a distinct claw or unquis. The stamens are in a double ? series about 15, and have the appearance of being 4-celled, from a depression along the line of dehiscence. Ovaries with 2 pendulous ovules, and furnished with a large style. Some other, perhaps new genera and species, of which I have specimens, remain to be added, but as I have not yet been able to ascertain, whether or not they are already named, I forbear for the present, characterizing them, as it is my intention, so soon as leisure permits, to re-examine the whole series, and figure, and describe all those that are new, or but imperfectly known. One however, of these genera, of which I possess two species, both from Ceylon, distinguished by some unusual peculiarities, is too interesting to be passed over in silence on the present occasion.

In the form of the corolla and torus, this genus associates with Ccelocline, but differs so widely in the character of its ovaries and fruit, as leaves me no room to doubt its being new and perfectly distinct. The most remarkable peculiarities observed in the course of my, perhaps too hurried, examination, were—1st. The calyx is persistent, the sepals united to near the apex, enlarging with, and enclosing, the fruit.—2d. The torus is concave, prolonged beyond the ovaries, bearing the stamens exteriorly, and the ovaries within.—3d. The ovaries are indefinite, few (one ?) ovuled,with the ovules attached near the apex, and pendulous.—4th. The styles are long, subulate, ending in a simple acute stigma.—5th. The carpels are one-seeded, united into a single fruit, enclosed within the enlarged calyx, and ranged in a single row, round the central axis, with the solitary compressed seeds, pendulous from the apex. The fruit, in my specimens, is not quite mature, but is sufficiently advanced to enable me to ascertain these points. This genus may therefore be thus characterized.

Patonia, R. W.

Sepals 3, united at the base, persistent, enlarging with the fruit. Petals, in a double series, distinct. Stamens numerous, distinct, truncated at the apex. Torus concave, bearing stamens externally, and ovaries within. Ovaries free: ovules solitary, (?) pendulous from the apex. Style longish, subulate. Stigma acute. Carpels numerous, ( 10-15) all united, enclosed within the enlarged tubular calyx. Seeds solitary, compressed, pendulous from the apex of the carpel. Trees or shrubs : leaves oblong, lanciolate, acuminated, glabrous : flowers axillary, solitary, or several together, from a short peduncle, or abortive branch: corolla slender ; petals tapering towards the point, pubescent : fruit, concealed within the tube of the greatly enlarged, 3-lobed calyx.

This genus is dedicated to Miss Paton, now Mrs. Colonel Walker. The name Walkeria being pre-occupied, prevents me dedicating it to my highly esteemed and amiable friend, under the name by which only she is known to science, as the diligent and acute investiga-