252 _ - DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA, Erythrina, 
be a tree of very considerable magnitude. Leaves ternate, 
Leaflets the pair unequally broad-cordate ; the terminal one 
reniform-cordate, all are smooth, entire, and pointed, from 
three to five inches each way. Petioles round, smooth, very 
rarely prickly, about six inches long. Stipules narrow-falcate, 
more permanent than the leaves. Racemes terminal, project- 
ing horizontally at right angles from the apex of the new leaf- 
less branchlets. Bractes minute, caducous; one under each 
pedicel, and two near their apices. Flowers tern, numerous 
and crowded, large, as in E. indica, and the colour the same 
bright dazzling scarlet. Calyx minute, not above one-tenth 
part of the length of the banner, spathiform, entire, acute, 
opening on the upper side, withering. Banner oblong, erect. 
Wings minute, even shorter than the calyx, semi-obovate. 
Keel half the length of the banner, and four or five times 
longer than the wings, two-petalled, but firmly united, and in 
that state, when expanded ovate; colour pale greenish yel- 
low, which is also the colour of the wings ; with the addition 
of a slight tinge of pink. Filaments seem one and nine, but 
the ten are united into one, a little above the base, alternately 
short. Germ pedicelled, villous, containing from four to six 
ovula attached to the upper margins. Style tapering. Stigma 
acute, Legume pedicelled, lanceolar, subulate, pointed, from 
three to five inches long, smooth, light brown. Seeds one, — 
two or three, rarely more come to maturity, lodged equally 
distinct from the ends, oval, pi ight brown, of the size 
of a French bean, 
- Note. Notwithstanding the great sienilanieg of this tree, to 
E. indica, Mouricou of Van Rheede, there can be no doubt 
of its being specifically distinct ; the small, entire, spathiform, 
calyx and minute triangular wings, are sufficient marks by 
which to distinguish it from all our other Indian Erythrinas, 
exclusive of the colour of the prickles, which is, no doubt, the 
most obvious criterion. The contents of the germ furnish an- 
other proof; in that containing from ten to fifteen — In 
this only from four to eight, generally about six. — : 
