k. 



^ 



326 



Pedicelli erecto-patentes. Calyx e dentibus 5, parvis. 

 Frudus elliptico-ovatus, basi apiceque obtusus, transversim 

 sectus, obtuse subtetragonuSj insigniter inflatus. Carpella 

 subsemiteretia^ Epicarpimn laxum, membranaceum, 

 ecostatum. Endocarpium semini arete adherens, costis 

 vel jugis filiformibus, fuscis, subaequidistantibus, duobus 

 lateralibus marmnalibus. Axis ffracillimus, vix distinctus. 



^ — . — ^- .*^.^ ^ 



I place this in the genus Bolax with much hesitation. The 



species 



Me 



limited them to the single B. gleharia of Gaudichaud, {Ann. 

 des Sciences Nat v. 5. p. 104. t 3. y^ ii.) the Hydrocotyle 

 gummifera of Lamarck; and indeed the habit of the two 

 plants, and the general form of their leaves are very similar; 

 so that, were it not for the sessile umbel in Gaudichaud's 

 figure, and the different structure of fruity I should con- 

 sider them to be the same species. The fruit there ap- 

 proaches nearly to that of Mulinmn^ having four compressed 

 angles, almost wings; the jugi or ridges very distinct; and the 

 epicarp closely united to the rest of the fruit. In our plant 

 the ridges are of a brown colour, and appear to me to be 



esmous 



for vittcBy were It not for their situation. 



Our present species yields abundantly a gummy or re- 

 sinous substance, which is gathered by the natives, and em- 

 ployed in the cure of the headach. A similar resin exudes 



the 



others of this tribe. The long woody roots constitute the 

 only fuel of travellers and herdsmen who frequent the eleva- 

 ted regions inhabited by this plant. The Fragosa aretioides 



Hurab 



? 



■-- — • -.>i_r», >^ V.U. b. TCA^-X, VT AAA * ******* -- — — 



if we may judge from its habit and the fruit being, at least 

 externally, without ridges. 



Tab. LXIII. Fig. l, Plant -.—not, size. Fig. 2, 3, Leaves. 

 Fig. 4, Umbel. Fig. 5, Fruit. Fig. 6, Carpel seen from 

 within. Fig. 7, Section of the fruit :— all but Jig. 1 more 

 or less magnified. 



