a PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Cressa. 
rious, Stipules none. Flowers yellow, most numerous, 
peduncled, the whole upper half of the plant forming an 
elegant, oblong, leafy decussated panicle. Bractes two 
at each division of the panicle, and like the leaves, but © 
smaller. Calyx four-cleft ; divisions linear, acute, perma- 
nent, Corol; border expanding, four-parted ; divisions 
as long as those of the calyx and also permanent. Sta- 
mina four. Anthers cloven at the base. Style single,as 
long as the germ. Stigma large, two-lobed. Capsules 
rather shorter than the permanent calyx, and corol, one- 
celled, two-valved, opening a little at the apex. Seeds 
numerous, affixed to two receptacles adhering to the sides 
of the valvelets. 
Note. When I refer this plant to the genus Gentiana 
I am guided by the capsule chiefly, otherwise I might 
probably have placed it with the Exacums. 
An infusion, or decoction of the whole plant, pulled up 
by the root, about the time the flowers begin to decay and 
the capsules are well formed, is much used by the na- 
_tives of Bengal, and the adjoining provinces, as a tonic. 
It appears to me to be a pure bitter, although it gives 
signs of astringency with a chalybeate, Its febrifuge vir- 
tues arein high estimation amongst both natives and Eu- 
ropeans, and I think very deservedly. Our medical gentle- 
men prescribe it in the same manner, and with the same 
intention, particularly when Peruvian Bark is ditons? to 
be obtained, 
CRESSA. Schreb. gen. n. 439. 
Calyx five-leaved. Corol campanulate, with stamens 
inserted into the bottom of the tube. Capsule superior, 
two-celled, with from one to four seeds in each, — 
C, indica. Willd. 1, 1320, 
Annual, erect, ramous, hoary. Leaves alternate. Flow- 
ers terminal, sessile. Apices of the segments of the osol 
bearded. Capsule — four-seeded, 
