1(5 Dr. Jack; on the Malayan Species of Melastoma. 



interpetiolar line. Stipules none. Panicles terminal, with 

 opposite divaricate ramifications, glaucous throughout. 

 Bracts ovate, acute, ciliate. Cah/x oblong, smooth, glau- 

 cous, cffirulescent above. Limb entire. Corolla of a deli- 

 cate blue, four-petalled, spreading; petals ovate, acuminate. 

 Stamina four fertile, ascending ; Jilaments appendiculate at 

 the apex ; anthers long, much curved, rostrate, opening by 

 a pore at top ; besides these there are two abortive filaments. 

 Ovary connected to the calyx by four septa, between which 



i, the beaks of the anthers are lodged before expansion, four- 

 celled, polysporous ; placenta from the inner angles of the 

 cells. Style reddish, longer than the stamina. Stigma 

 simple. Beri'y of a fine glaucous-purple colour, ovate, 

 four-celled, many-seeded. 



Obs. This is a handsome shrub, easily distinguished by the 

 glaucous tint of its panicles, and in general appearance has 

 considerable resemblance to the preceding. Only four sta- 

 mina are here fertile, but they are accompanied by two 

 small filaments without anthers. The leaves are of a deep 

 green, rather rigid, with strongly-marked nerves and veins. 

 While young, both surfaces are sprinkled with stellulate 

 pubescence, which is easily rubbed ofl', and disappears with 

 age. The appendages of the stamina are in the form of 

 rounded auricles. 



14. Melastoma viminalis. 



M. octandra, foliis oblongis obtuso-acuminatis basi cordatis 

 quinquenerviis, paniculis trichotomis, bracteis oppositis 

 oblongis ciliatis, antheris quatuor alternis sterilibus. 



Native of Sumatra. 



A large climbing shrub. Branches long and drooping, round, 

 pubescent, tinged with purple. Leaves opposite, sub-bifa- 



rious, 



