345 
the submersed spadix, and rise to the surface of the water, 
where they float, wafted by every breeze, till they have 
fertilized the female flowers. Each of these male flowers is 
6-valved, the two external valves being larger and coloured, 
the four internal smaller, white or cream-coloured, all 
reflexed. Stamens 9. Filaments diverging. Anthers obtuse, 
bursting transversely across the summit; Pollen composed of 
diaphanous, globular granules.—Frmate spatha sheathing, 
about as long as the germen, bifid. -Germen inferior, ovate 
at the base, tapering gradually upwards into the long, fili- 
form tube of the perianth, which, as well as its 3-partite 
limb, is reddish; segments obtuse. Stigmas protruded just 
above the limb of the perianth, 3-partite, the segments 
cuneate, irregular, often bifid, papillose, white. | Pericarp 
enclosed within the spatha, membranous, rounded. or 
slightly compressed, tapering to a point. Seeds numerous, 
attached to the inside of the pericarp by small filiform stalks, 
(1 quite agree with Dr. Wight in considering this to be a 
true Vallisneria, although the stem is elongated, and the 
flowers sessile. The same gentleman observes that all the 
four Vallisnerie of Dr. Roxburgh (V. alternifolia, octandra 
Fl. Corom. v. 2. t. 165, V. verticillata* and spiraloides,) 
differ very much in their fructification from each other. 
Figures of them all will soon be provided for the present 
Work, 
V. alternifolia seems to be a frequent plant in Samy: paris 
of India, particularly in Madras and about Calcutta, E 
pools of fresh water, and flowering during the rainy 
season, In Hindostanee it is called Jangi (Naididpanee in 
the Tamul, D Wight); and according to the late Dr. 
ilton,+ it is used for the purpose of refining sugar. 
“It is well known,” says this author, “ that one of the 
Most common processes for refining sugar, is by filtering 
Water slowly through small quantities of it, contained in 
E i SUMMO 
* Probably the Serpicula verticillata, Roxb. Corom. v. 2. t 16% 
f In Brewster's Journal of Science, v. 1. p. 34. 
