BOTANY OF WESTERN INDIA. 341 
different parts of the kingdom ; but as formerly great quantities of in- 
toxicating liquor were extracted from it, its cultivation is at present re- 
strieted by a law, according to which, in the whole Hawaiian domi- 
nions, only four fields, each not to exceed four acres in extent, are al- 
lowed to be planted with it. 
Contributions to the Botany of WESTERN INDIA ; 
by N. A. DALZELL, Esq., M.A. 
(Continued from p. 295.) 
Nat. Ord. SCITAMINEJE. 
ZINGIBER. 
1. Z. Nimmonii, Dalz.; caule rubro-virescente glabro, foliis lanceolatis 
acuminatis basi in petiolum brevissimum angustatis supra læte viri- 
dibus subtus pallidis arachnoideis, spica adscendente ovata breve 
pedunculata verticem vix e solo exserente, bracteis lineari-oblongis vel 
lanceolatis acutis glabris rubro-striatis interioribus bifidis, corelle 
laeiniis exterioribus flavescenti-rubris, labelli trilobi flavi lobo inter- 
medio ovato-rotundato vix emarginato, capsula ovi columbini mag- 
nitudine. 
Crescit in utroque Concano, etiam in jugo Syhadrensi; fl. Julio. 
Although it is a maxim among naturalists that differences of colour 
without difference of form cannot make a species, I find in making out 
the differential characters of this genus great help in recording colour 
as well as form, owing to the very great uniformity among the species, 
both as regards habit and structure, even of their minutest parts. The 
present species is by far the commonest of the three here described, - 
and it is the only one of which I am at all in doubt as to its being an 
undescribed species, as it agrees well with the description of Z. pandu- 
ratum of Roxb. Flor. Ind., which however was not found in the Indian 
peninsula. The species which I have now attempted to characterize is 
mentioned in Graham's catalogue of Bombay plants, under the name 
of Alpinia Nimmonii, but at that time the flowers were unknown, 
which is not much to be wondered at, as they appear (in common with 
those of the other species) at a time when the whole country is deluged 
with heavy and continued rains. : 
