I am unable from the descriptions to refer it altogether 
satisfactorily to any described species. Of these, only one 
of the species with racemose inflorescence has been hitherto 
well figured, namely, that referred (t. 2932) to Swartz’s 
Pontederia azurea (which is also figured in Martius’ “ Nova 
Genera et Species,” as P. crassipes, Martius). This Kunth 
considers not to be Swartz’s plant, and makes a new species 
of it; H. speciosa, Kth. In so doing he is very probably 
justified, though it is to be regretted that he did not retain 
Martius’ characteristic name of crassipes, especially as he 
quotes that author’s description and figure. Swartz’s P. 
azurea, then, is Kunth’s Hichornia azurea, and the doubt 
in my mind is whether the subject of the present plate is 
referable to it. On the one hand, it appears to agree with 
a specimen of the only Jamaica species known to me which 
could be considered as Swartz’s azwrea, gathered by Purdie, 
and which Grisebach considers the true one; on the other 
hand, neither Swartz, nor P. Browne in his full description, 
alludes to the beautifully-toothed inner perianth segment 
of our plant, nor can the latter author’s description of the | 
Stamens be regarded as quite satisfactory: “ filamenta..3 
superiora ad basim tubo adnata; 3 inferiora in fundo floris 
sita.”” Browne adds, “I observed this plant in most of 
the Lagoons about the Ferry ;” and Purdie’s ticket bears 
“ Habitat, behind the Ferry,’ which must be regarded as 
settling the point in the present state of our knowledge. 
The figure cited of Schlechtendahl, appears to represent 
a larger-flowered plant than this, with flowers not in pairs, 
almost orbicular-obovate, much larger inner perianth lobes, 
and the eye-like spot rounded. 
Li. azwrea is, as far as can be ascertained by a comparison 
of dried specimens, a common tropical South American 
water-plant, extending from South Brazil to Jamaica; it 
varies greatly in the size and form of the leaves and length 
of the petiole, and is found either floating, or rooted and 
erect in the muddy bottom of shallow water. It was 
introduced into the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society, 
Regent’s Park, from Brazil, and flowered there in July of 
last year, and I am indebted to Mr. Sowerby for the plant 
here figured. 
Descr. Stems as thick as the thumb, floating and rooting, 
green, smooth, flexuous. Leaves on long or short petioles, 
