810 © DIOECIA HEXANDRIA, Menispermum. 
hoary underneath, sometimes acuminate, sometimes obtuse ; 
generally from three to nine inches long, and from two to six 
broad, In young plants frequently peltate. Petioles short- 
er than the leaves, round, downy, Female umbellets, or 
heads, from the stout, naked, ligneous branches, several from 
the same bud, on thick, round, downy peduncles, of about an 
inch in length, Flowers numerous, sub-sessile, villous, ofan ob- 
scure green. Bractes of the umbellets obscure; those of the 
flowers three or four, reniform, villous, pressing close on the 
calyx, .Calyx six-leaved; the three exterior ones oval, small, 
very downy on the outside, permanent ; the three interior ones 
considerably longer, Petals, six small, short, sterile filaments, 
three embracing the base of thegerms, very downy. Stylesslen- 
der, recurved, Berries, from one to three come to maturity, 
nearly round, villous, of the size of a large filbert, each with a 
single seed, as represented by that excellent and accurate Bo- 
tanist Geertner, Receptacle of the fruit; while in blossom the 
flowers are nearly sessile, on a globular receptacle, of the 
flowers I will call it, but, like the germs in Uvaria, as the fruit 
advances in size, the very short pedicel of the original flower 
lengthens into a pretty long, stout, cylindric, villous pedicel, 
ending in a round-headed receptacle, on which sit from one 
to three berries surrounded with the small permanent calyx 
and corol, | 
The above description, was taken from specimens sent to 
me from Ceylon by General Macdowall, who at the same time 
gave me the following account of the plant. 
‘I have lately been at some trouble to discover whether, or 
not the true Colombo root is a native of our soil, and shall pro- 
bably remain in doubt, until I am furnished with your opini- 
on. I now forward a specimen of the root, and some of the 
leaves, and flowers, which grow from the stem of the branch. 
It is a very strong creeper, and the natives make use of it to 
tie their cattle, and for other purposes of husbandry, where 
more are necessary. : 
- Should this prove the celebrated ‘Glolesiahestost:Whclione 
