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852 
CUPHEA Melvilla. 
Scarlet and Green Cuphea 
o 
DODECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. SALICARIE. 
CUPHEA, Browne. V. suprà vol. 3. fol. 182. 
C. Melvilla, foliis lanceolatis scabris utrinque attenuatis, racemis termina- 
libus simplicibus multifloris, calycibus longis arcuatis bicoloribus pilosis, 
petalis nullis. 
Melvilla speciosa. Anderson in journal of Arts and Sciences. 
Folia opposita, sessilia, oblonga, utrinque attenuata, undique pilis rigi- 
dis aspera. Flores in racemis densis terminalibus dispositi, cernui. Calyx 
tubulosus, subarcuatus, 12-striatus, pilis parvis rigidis scaber, basi supra 
calcaratus, coccineus, limbo viridi, vernicato, ringente, 6-lobo; lobis lato- 
ovatis, apiculatis: supremo majore, ceteris sensim minoribus ; sinubus ap- 
pendiculatis, processu brevi, obtuso, dorso setigero, palpos insecti cujusdam 
ad instar. Petala 0. Stamina 12, paulo exserta, declinata, inequalia, tubo 
infra apicem quà colores confluunt inserta : filamenta barbata ; anthere ver- 
satiles, 1-loculares, rimá simplici valvis longitudinalibus clausá, dehiscentes. 
Pollen viride, angulis distinctis triquetrum. Ovarium ovatum, plicatum, in- 
flatum, pallidè viride, ventre glabro, dorso paulo colorato, barbato ; unilocu- 
lare, placentis duabus in unam coalitis centralem: quáque retinaculo suo apici 
loculi adnatá. Stylus subulatus, pilosus, tubo brevior, fistulosus. Stigma 
simplex. 
This fine plant is a native of swamps in Guiana, and in 
Fort Zeland, Island of Essequebo, whence it was introduced 
to the Botanic Garden, St. Vincent’s, by the late Dr. Ander- 
son, who considered it a particular genus, and named it 
after his friend General Melville, at that time commander 
of the forces upon the island. To that officer, and to Dr. 
Young, who was Staff-Surgeon at the time, the late garden 
at St. Vincent's owed its origin. 
We do not perceive any character, beyond the absence 
of petals, by which Melvilla can be distinguished from 
Cuphea; to one species of which, C. Jorullensis of Kunth, 
which is also apetalous, it seems to be nearly related. 
For the introduction of this plant to our gardens the 
public is indebted to the exertions of Mr. James M‘Crae, 
lately employed upon the establishment of the St. Vincent's 
