JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS 



LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



On Fropiera, a new Mauritian Genus of Calycifloral Exogens, of 

 doubtful affinity. By J. D. HooiIer, Esq., M.D., F.E.S., 



F.L.S. 



[K«ad Juno 16tH, 1859.] 



In a letter lately received by Sir William Hooker from M. Bouton 

 in the Mauritius, that gentleman announces the despatch of speci- 

 mens of a remarkable plant, which he is unable to refer to any 

 genus, and which, if new, he desires should be published, and bear 

 the name of the Hon. Mr. Eropier, Member of the Legislative 

 Council of the Mauritius, and a liberal and zealous promoter of 

 science. On the arrival of the specimens, they proved to be speci- 

 fically identical with a plant of which there are two specimens in 

 the Hookerian Herbarium, — one in an indeterminable state, and 

 referred to Memecylon by its sender, Prof. Bojer ; the other, also in 

 bad condition, collected by Sieber (Fl. Maurit. ii. no. 123). This 

 latter I had already examined, and, being unable to determine its 

 affinities, had placed it amongst the Plantse Dubise of the Herba- 

 rium. An analysis of the specimens sent by M. Bouton have 

 enabled me to draw up a complete character of it, but not to indi- 

 cate its nearest affinity with any certainty. 



The habit of Fropiera is very much that of some Ilicinece ; and 

 the pure-white bark (of the branches) and foliage resemble, very 

 closely indeed, those of Leueodermis, in the same family with which 

 genus, however, Fropiera has no other character in common. The 

 dotted leaves and sepals, close-set parallel veins, intramargiual 



LINN. PROC. — BOTANY, VOL. V. B 



