996 - SKETCH OF THE VEGETATION OF 
bryanthemums. The want of such forms is so obvious, that a superficial 
observer would be induced to declare the flora identical with those of 
the bordering states: a person, however, who investigates more closely, 
cannot fail to notice the prevailing clothing of the leaves with hair and 
tomentum, the abundance of greenish, yellow, and white flowers, and 
the numerical superiority of the Natural Orders Leguminose, Melasto- 
macee, Composite, Rubiacee, Orchidee, and Ferns,—features, which, 
although less prominent than those alluded to, still exercise a decided 
influence on the physiognomy of the vegetation.* 
But it must not be supposed that the flora is without certain pecu- 
liarities of its own; indeed, it has peculiarities which distinguish it 
from that of all other countries, and which are calculated to show 
many a genus and many a natural order in an entirely new light. 
The most important, perhaps, that might be adduced, is the Balboa 
odorata, Seem., whose discovery has established the union of Passi- 
Jloreæ and Turneracee, embracing, as it does, the chief characteristics 
of these two families (n. 1922). The genus Pentagonia is equally 
curious, on account of its being the only Rudiacea which has yet been 
found with pinnatifid leaves ; it belongs to the subdivision of Gar- 
denieæ, and thus forms à clear transition to the order of Lonicerea, 
in which a pinnatifid foliage and a baccate fruit are not uncommon 
features. Remarkable are two species of Begonia, B. oppositifolia, 
Seem. (n. 1099), and B. centradenioides, Seem. (n. 561), both with 
leaves which are opposite and of unequal size, as is the case with Cen- 
tradenia rosea, Lindl., Clidemia cyanocarpa, Bth., C. fenestrata, Bth., 
C. barbinervis, Bth., and numerous other Melastomacee. Their simi- 
larity in habit to some of the Melastomacee is really very striking, and 
will give additional weight to the arguments of those who favour the 
relationship between the two orders. The Carludovica palmata, R. et 
Pav., is another production of the Isthmus, though not exclusively con- 
fined to it, which deserves notice. It has large fan-shaped leaves, and 
resembles many of the Palms so closely that it must always be con- 
* "The vegetation of Guayana is, probably, most like that of the Isthmus; for not 
only do the common plants of that country occur, but also a great number of those 
more recently discovered by Sir R. Schomburgk. However, at present, this must 
be mere conjecture: after the materials, collected by me, shall have been more care- 
fully examined, it will be a task of little difficulty to show to what flora the Pana- 
mian ximates the nearest; and in the meantime to furnish a more defined 
: general charatéer than that which I am at present able to give.—B. S. 
