/ 



63 



circumstance, which is so essentially at variance with the 

 character of Polygonum, accounts for the plant having been 

 occasionally referred to Coccoloba. It however cannot be 

 placed in that genus, because its seeds are not lobed, and 

 the embryo is placed on one side of the albumen. 



For these reasons I propose the establishment of a new 

 genus, to which a name indicating its grape-like fruit has 

 , been assigned. That of Cephalophilon^ by which the section 

 of Polygonum including this plant has been distinguished 

 by Meisner, cannot be adopted, because it is not known that 

 the other species included in the section have also baccate 

 fruit. The genus Ampelygonum will not have long^ to wait 

 for an augmentation of its species, part of which will be 

 found in Polygonum and part in Coccoloba. In the mean- 

 while the following may be taken as its generic character. 



AMPELYGONUM. 



Calyx 5-fidus, imbrlcatus, in fructu baccatus. Stamina 8 serie dupUci inserta ; 

 interiora sepalis opposita et In annulum brevem perigynum basibus suis 

 coalita ; exteriora sepalis alterna, libera. Stigmata 3, capitata. Acbsenlum 

 triquetrum, calyce baccato inclusum. Embryo lateralis. 



1. A. cAinen5e= Polygonum chinense, Meisner in Wall. PI. As. rar. 



This species derives additional interest from being one of 

 those from which Indigo of fine quality is obtained. Poly- 

 gonum tinctorium, also in our gardens, is at this time exten- 

 sively cultivated in Belgium as a domestic substitute for 

 the tropical Indigo, and is said to produce the dye in great 

 abundance and of the finest quality. 



119. SPIRANTHES diuretfca. 



This little plant, inhabiting the mountainous parts of 

 Chile, where it is common, has lately been received from 

 Valparaiso by Capt. James Mangles, R.N. Its flowers are 

 green and white, unattractive to the careless observer, but 

 studded in th^e most beautiful manner with crystalline points, 

 particularly at the apex of the lip. It is a greenhouse Or- 

 chidaceous plant, and flowers in August. 



