Dr. Jacx on the Malayan Species of Melastoma. 5 
sent, but are readily distinguished on inspection by having their 
calyces covered with erect bristles in place of flat scales. 
This species (as well as all the rest) has the ovula attached 
to placentz projecting from the inner angle of the cells: as the 
fruit ripens the cells become filled with pulp, and the placentæ 
consequently less distinct ; this probably occasioned Gærtner to 
fall into an error in ascribing to Melastoma nidulant seeds, and 
establishing on this a distinction between it and Osbeckia. 
.9. MELASTOMA ERECTA. W.J. 
M. decandra, foliis quinquenerviis ovatis utrinque acutis villo- 
sis, floribus 5—7 terminalibus corymbosis, calycibus sca- 
bris pilis longis erectis, laciniis linearibus deciduis. 
Found at Tappanooly in Sumatra. 
A small erect shrub. Branches round or obscurely four-sided, 
ferruginous, rough with erect hairs. Leaves opposite, pe- 
tiolate, ovate, acute at both ends, four or five inches long, 
five-nerved, with an additional. marginal line, edges re- 
curved and denticulate, softly tomentose or pilose above, 
villous beneath, with strong erect hairs. Petioles nearly 
half an inch long, pilose. Flowers terminal, somewhat 
corymbose, pedicellate, generally from five to seven, large. 
Bracts small. Calyx ovate, beset with strong erect bristly 
hairs ; limb divided into five long, linear, acute, deciduous 
segments. Corolla purplish-red, five-petalled ; petals large, 
spreading. Stamina ten ; anthers arcuate, beaked, the al- 
ternate ones pedicellate. Style declinate. Berry pilose, 
ovate, five-celled, many-seeded. 
4. MELASTOMA 
