42 PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. - Asclepias... 
smooth, deeply cut into five, narrow, acute divisions. 
Corol rotate ; division ovate, oblong, obtuse. 
15. A. parasitica, R. 
Parasitic, perennial, creeping. Leaves ovate-lanceo- . 
late, fleshy, drooping. Umbels simple. globular ; nectary 
concave, stellate, protruding five ovate rays at the top. 
Thischarming species is a native of the Sunderbund, or 
forestin the estuary of the Ganges, where it grows on trees, - 
creeping up, and over their trunks and branches to an 
extent of some fathoms; emitting roots from every part, 
which take fast hold of the parent tree. The first plant. 
brought into the Botanic garden at Calcutta died when - 
planted in the ground; but when fied to trees and their 
roots fixed in any cavity or fork where some humidity 
and nourishment was to be found, they grew well, though 
slowly, and blossomed during the hot season, and about 
the beginning ofthe rains in June. I have, however, reared 
them in common earth since. Bi 
Leaves opposite, petioled, retrofracted, ovutecialnse: 
late, acute, of a firm fleshy texture, and smooth on 
both sides ; veins scarcely conspicuous above, and invi- 
sible underneath; from two to four inches long, and 
about one broad. Petioles short, round, ash-coloured, in 
fact, more like a part of a branch than a petiole. Pedun- 
cles solitary, interfoliaceous, round, smooth, about aninch © 
and a halflong, each supporting a most elegant, droop- 
ing, globular umbel, of the most beautiful, exquisitely 
fragrant, rather small, pearl-coloured flowers. Calyx ; 
leaflets linear, scarcely half the length of the corol. Corol 
wheel-shaped, with the divisions cordate. Nectary con- 
cave, stellate, protruding five ovate, thick fleshy horns, or 
rays at the the top. Stamens as | inthe genus. The pericarp 
has not a been found, 
