334 MB. J. MIEES ON SOME SOUTH-AMERICAN 



The third species, the Pleraginea umhrosissirna of Arruda, is a 

 tree growing in the desert Sertoes of the province, upon the 

 borders of rivers and rivulets, rising to the height of 50 or 60 feet ; 

 its branches are long and diffuse, being doubled downward so 

 much that they nearly touch the ground 1 . The inflorescence is 



* 



not known ; but the fruits are abundant : the drupe is oblong, 

 2 in. long, \ in. broad, retaining its greenish colour even when 

 dry ; the kernel is not very hard, being flexible and subligneous ; 

 it encloses within a layer of astringent matter an embryo con- 

 sisting of two fleshy cotyledons, of a disagreeable taste, abounding 

 in an oil which is usefully employed. These fruits are known by 

 the name of Oiti or Oiticica. This description appears to me to 

 correspond with the true Couepia of Aublet, as a reference to his 

 figure will show 2 . It seems near the Couepia Uiti, Benth. 3 , from 

 Piouhy. 



Couepia and Acioa were regarded by Aublet as very distinct 

 from each other ; and certainly the facts he exhibited are suffi- 

 ciently differential to establish this truth. Notwithstanding this, 

 the two genera have been united in favour of the former by Sir 

 J. D. Hooker 3 , without offering any reasons or any attempt to 

 subvert the facts given by Aublet. The differences are many. In 

 both genera the stamens are borne upon a unilateral cuneiform 

 lamina, and seated upon its truncate margin ; in Acioa there are 

 only 12 stamens, while Couepia has always 30 or more. In Acioa 

 the fruit is large, oval, with an extremely thick pericarp, which 

 splits transversely and irregularly all over its surface, cracking 

 down to the endocarp into unequal frustums, which do not sepa- 

 rate from it : this endocarp is coriaceous and fragile ; it encloses 

 an oblong-ovate kernel covered with a thin membranaceous red 

 integument, and consisting of two large fleshy cotyledons, which 

 are edible and of a pleasant taste. In Couepia the drupe is not 

 much smaller, is externally smooth and unbroken in its substance : 

 the pericarp is thick and coriaceous, consisting of rather lax en- 



1 The trunk of this tree, abundant in the province, as well that oiMoquilea to- 

 mentosa, Benth., is highly prized, as it affords the best timber for ship-building, 

 both being there known under the designation of Viti or Oiticica (see Gard- 

 ner's Travels, p. 137). The Pao amarello mentioned in the same sentence as 

 being also employed in ship-building, is abundant in some of the provinces, 

 where it is called "Pequia amarello. ,, It is the Aspidospermum tomehtosum, 

 Mart. 



a Plant. Guian. i. p. 519, tab. 207. 8 Flor. Bras. fasc. 42, p. 40. 



