TRANSACTIONS 
OF 
THE LINNEAN SOCIETY. 
I. On the Malayan Species of Melastoma. By William P M.D. 
Communicated by Robert Brown, Esq. F.R.S. and L.S. 
Read April 16, 1822. 
THE Fast Indian species of Melastoma have been little inves- 
tigated in their native soil; and the few that are mentioned in 
botanical works have for the most part been so imperfectly de- 
scribed as to occasion much confusion. This splendid genus 
has now become so extensive as to require being subdivided : 
but to do this with due regard to the natural series, and to the 
relative importance of the characters, would demand a critical 
examination of the whole, and ampler means of reference than 
are accessible in India. I shall therefore confine myself to such 
observations as have been suggested by the Malayan species 
which I have had an opportunity of examining. The whole of 
these have baccate fruit, and are therefore true Melastome, as 
that genus is at present constituted. They vary much in the 
number of their stamina, but that number is constant in each 
species. They all agree in having the ovula attached to pla- 
cent, which project from the inner angle of the cells; in the 
VOL. XIV. B number 
