Dr. Jack on the Malayan Species of Melastoma. 3 
division founded on this latter character could not be established 
without great violence to their natural affinities. The following 
species are arranged according to the division now suggested. 
.* Antheris alternis dissimilibus. (Mrtastoma). 
1. MELAsTOMA osvotuta. W.J. 
M. decandra, foliis ovatis quinquenerviis appresso-pilosis, flori- 
bus 3—5 terminalibus, bracteis magnis, calycibus squamo- 
sis, laciniis ovatis deciduis. 
At Tappanooly on the West Coast of Sumatra. 
A small branched shrub. Branchlets somewhat four-angled, 
‘covered with short reddish appressed scales. Leaves oppo- 
site, petiolate, ovate or elliptic-ovate, five-nerved, pilose, 
the hairs on the upper surface shorter than those on the 
lower ; these hairs are appressed, and lie in different direc- 
tions according to the course of the nerves, like the grained 
fur of animals. The two opposite leaves are often unequal 
in size; Petioles scaly. Flowers terminal, three, rarely 
five, on very short els, each embraced by two large 
broad-ovate bracts, which completely invest the calyx. 
These bracts are covered externally with appressed scales, 
but are smooth towards the margin ; they do not fall off till 
after inflorescence. Calyx ovate, covered with long ap- 
pressed glossy scales; limb divided into five ovate, mucro- 
— mate, obliquely rotate, deciduous segments, which are mem- 
. A branaceous at the edges. Corolla large, purple, five-petalled. 
Stamina ten; anthers arcuate, beaked, the alternate five 
pedicellate, with two processes at the base. Ovary con- 
nected by ten partitions with the calyx. Style declinate. 
Berry five-celled, many-seeded. : 
B 2 Oss. 
