Leaves (three inches long, two broad) decussated, ovate, 
acuminate, five-ribbed, much veined and wrinkled, dark | 
green and shining above, paler below, petioled, glabrous ex- 
cepting on the lower surface of the nerves and veins, which 
is glanduloso-hispid ; petioles short, suberect. Flowers 
collected at the extremities of the shoots, where they arise 
from the axils of diminished leaves, peduncled ; peduncles 
in structure and form like minute branches, about twice as 
long as the petioles, three-flowered, pedicels nearly awant- 
ing. Bractee single on the outside of each of the lateral 
pedicels, and two small, opposite, at the base of the calyx, 
showing a tendency to a farther subdivision of the inflores- 
cence, ovato-elliptical, glabrous, ciliated, nerved. Calyx 
nearly cylindrical, glanduloso-hispid, indistinctly ribbed ; 
limb tour-parted, segments spreading, deltoideo-acuminate, 
ciliated, ciliz glandular. Corolla pale lilac, petals distant, 
obovato-elliptical, retuse, faintly nerved. Stamens eight, 
inserted alternately within and between the petals into the 
mouth of the calyx ; filaments colourless, erect, glabrous, 
flattened, slightly declined, about half the length of the 
petal; anthers in the bud bent forward, compressed dor-— 
sally, the larger passing between the calyx and ovarium, 
and having their apices lodged in cavities on the outside 
of this, when expanded compressed laterally, and wrink- 
led in front, bent at an acute angle with the filaments, 
arched, their apices ascending, perforated with a single 
pore, connective with two short, blunt auricles at the base, 
unequal, four large and brownish-yellow, four small yellow, 
more erect. Stigma minute, divided transversely, pubes 
cent. Style rather longer than the filaments, declined, a 
cending at the apex. Germen free above, adhering below, 
having a few hairs upon its apex, four-celled. Ovules 
numerous. 
This plant was raised at Mr. Neix1’s garden, Canonmills, 
from seeds, sent to him in 1829, by Mr. Joun Tweevt, 
formerly head-gardener at Eglinton’ Castle, Ayrshire, a0 
now of the Retiro, Buenos Ayres. The packet was mark 
in Mr. 'Tweepre’s handwriting, « Herbaceous Melastom®, 
from damp woods of the Banda Oriental.” The plants 
came up freely in the summer of 1830; but none showed 
flower till July, 1831, when several blossomed equally well 
in the cold frame and in the greenhouse. Graham. 
For the beautiful drawing here figured, I am indebted te 
Dr. GREVILLE. 
