of the leaves, has given occasion to the name we have applied 

 to it ; but it is most conspicuous in the latter whilst youngs 

 disappearing in great measure in a more advanced age. 



There is a near affinity between our plant and Melastoma 

 malabathrica (supra No. 529) likewise an East-Indian species; 

 but they may be at once distinguished by the number of petals 

 and stamens, unless it should be found that this character is 

 subject to variation. 



Among the undescribed species of Melastoma in the Bank- 

 sian Herbarium we find one which appears to be the same as 

 our plant, brought from the straits of Sunda by Sir George 

 Taunton, and another not quite so certain from Macao by 

 Mr. David Nelson. The one from which our drawing and 

 description were taken, was raised from seed received from 

 China, by Mr. Brooke of the Northampton Nursery, New- 

 ington-Green, by whom it was communicated in October last 

 year. Cultivated in the stove, where it forms a very handsome 

 free growing shrub. 



