8 Dr. Jack on the Malayan Species of Melastoma. 
6. MetastomMa NEMOROSA. W.J. 
M. octandra, pedunculis axillaribus 1—3-floris, foliis ovato-lan- 
ceolatis quinquenerviis subtus cum calycibus, ramis, pe- 
dunculisque ferrugineo-villosis. 
Banga útan. Malay. 
Native of the Malay Islands. 
A shrub with long, virgate, round, ferruginous branches. Leaves 
opposite, petiolate, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, slightly 
cordate at the base, very entire, smooth and green above, 
hoary with ferruginous dots beneath ; five-nerved, the outer 
pair of nerves close to the margin. The young leaves are 
villous on both sides; on the upper with white stellate hairs, 
which soon disappear, and are rubbed off with the slightest 
touch; below with reddish ferruginous pubescence. Pe- 
tioles short, round, ferruginous, connected by a prominent 
interpetiolar line. Stipules none.  Peduncles axillary, soli- 
tary, one- to three-flowered. Calyx inferior, subovate, 
closely embracing the ovary, and connected with it by 
eight septa, rough with ferruginous pubescence ; limb four- 
parted; /ucinie spreading, acute. Corolla four-petalled, of 
a flesh or light rose colour, spreading; petals subrotund, 
inserted into the calyx alternately with its laciniæ. Stamina 
eight, inserted below the petals, ascending, with arcuate 
rostrate anthers ; four are longer, have pedicellate anthers, 
with fimbriated appendages at the base; the shorter have 
sessile anthers, with two setæ or bristles at the base. Before 
expansion the anthers are incurved, and have their apices 
inserted into the cells formed between the calyx and ova- 
rium. Style ascending, as long as the short stamina. Stigma 
simple, recurved. Fruit within the calyx, and adhering to 
it by the above-mentioned septa, four-celled; many-seeded. 
Oss. 
