NEW GENERA OF CEYLON PLANTS. 271 
is very closely allied to Sphragidia, differing principally in the ovarium 
being unilocular. The learned authors of this genus must have had 
very imperfect specimens to describe from, or the fruit of some other 
plant must have been mixed with their specimens of Hemicyclia sepi- 
aria, when they state the ovary to be two-celled, and each cell to have 
a solitary ovule; for in the great number of flowers of this species 
which I have examined, I have invariably found a one-celled ovary 
with two contained pendulous ovules. On this account I have thought 
it desirable to draw up the above amended characters of the genus. 
Through Sphragidia and Hemicyclia, the Buxee tribe of the Euphor- 
biacee approach so near to the Antidesmee (amongst which Dr. Wight 
has included Asfylis), that there seems scarcely sufficient grounds for 
retaining the latter as a separate Order. Pyrenacantha, Hook., now 
associated with the Antidesmee, wil no doubt, however, have to be 
removed elsewhere, on account of its twining habit, exstipulate leaves, 
peculiar albumen (a modification, apparently, of ruminated aime, 
and ovules with the raphe turned away from the placenta. 
l. Hemicyclia sepiaria, W. et A.—Edin. New. Phil. Journ. xiv. 297. 
—R. W. Icones, tab. 1872.—C. P. No. 2120 in Herbario Perade- 
niensi. 
Arbor mediocris, foliis glabris, oblongis vel obovatis, retusis, margine 
subdentatis vel undulatis, 13-31 poll. longis, 1-2 poll. latis ; foribus 
numerosis, minutis, sib dne 2 lin. latis. Fr. Masc. staminibus 8— 
11, discum planum eingentibus; ovarii rudimento nullo. Fr. Fa. 
stigmate concavo, erenato. Drupa subspheerica, rubra. 
Has. Abundant in the warmer parts of the Island, especially towards 
the north. It is called by the Cinghalese ** Weera-gass.” 
2. Hemicyclia Gardneri, Thw.—C.P. No. 2121 in Herbario Perade- 
niensi. 
Arbor mediocris, foliis lanceolatis, crenatis, retusis, minutissime mucro- - 
nulatis, versus petiolum pubescentem angustatis, subtus prope basin 
pilis longis stipatis, costa pubescenti ; foribus paucis, flavescentibus, 
6 lin. latis. Maso. staminibus circiter 24, discum medio excavatum — 
cingentibus, ovarii rudimento nullo. Fam. stylo brevi; stigmate 
convexo, carnoso. Drupa oblonga. 
Has. Found in the same situations as the last, but not so abundant. 
The much larger flowers, and the different shape of the leaves and fruit, 
well distinguish it. 
