Dr. Jack on the Malayan Species of Melastoma. 5 



sent, but are readily distinguished on inspection by having their 

 calyces covered with erect bristles in place of flat scales. 



This species (as well as all the rest) has the ovula attached 

 to placentae projecting from the inner angle of the cells : as the 

 fruit ripens the cells become filled with pulp, and the placentae 

 consequently less distinct ; this probably occasioned Gaertner to 

 fall into an error in ascribing to Melastoma nidulant seeds, and 

 establishing on this a distinction between it and Osbeckia. 



'e> 



3. Melastoma erecta. JV. J. 



M. decandra, foliis quinquenerviis ovatis utrinque acutis villo- 

 sis, floribus 5 — 7 terminalibus corymbosis, calycibus sca- 

 bris pilis longis erectis, laciniis linearibus deciduis. 



Found at Tappanooly in Sumatra. 



A small erect shrub. Branches round or obscurely four-sided, 

 ferruginous, rough with erect hairs. Leaves opposite, pe- 

 tiolate, ovate, acute at both ends, four or five inches long, 

 five-nerved, with an additional marginal line, edges re- 

 curved and denticulate, softly tomentose or pilose above, 

 villous beneath, with strong erect hairs. Petioles nearly 

 half an inch long, pilose. Flowers terminal, somewhat 

 corymbose, pedicellate, generally from five to seven, large. 

 Bracts small. Calyx ovate, beset with strong erect bristly 

 hairs ; limb divided into five long, linear, acute, deciduous 

 segments. Corolla pitrplish-red, five-petalled ; petals large, 

 spreading. Stamina ten ; anthers arcuate, beaked, the al- 

 ternate ones pedicellate. Style declinate. Berry pilose, 

 ovate, five-celled, many-seeded. 



.rAK 



* * 4. Melastoma 



