Dr. Jack 07i the Malayan Species of Melastoma. 3 



division founded on this latter character could not be established 

 without great violence to their natural affinities. The following 

 species are arranged according to the division now suggested. 



* Antheris alternis dissimilibus. (Melastoma). 

 1. Melastoma obvoluta. W.J. 



M. decandra, foliis ovatis quinquenerviis appresso-pilosis, flori- 

 bus 3 — 5 terminalibus, bracteis magnis, calycibus squamo- 

 sis, laciniis ovatis deciduis. 



At Tappanooly on the West Coast of Sumatra. 



A small branched shrub. Branchlets somewhat four-angled, 

 covered with short reddish appressed scales. Leaves oppo- 

 site, petiolate, ovate or elliptic-ovate, five-nerved, pilose, 

 the hairs on the upper surface shorter than those on the 

 lower ; these hairs are appressed, and lie in different direc- 

 tions according to the course of the nerves, like the grained 

 fur of animals. The two opposite leaves are often unequal 

 in size. Petioles scaly. Flowers terminal, three, rarely 

 five, on very short pedicels, each embraced by two large 

 broad-ovate bracts, which completely invest the calyx. 

 These bracts are covered externally with appressed scales, 

 but are smooth towards the margin ; they do not fall off till 

 after inflorescence. Calyx ovate, covered with long ap- 

 pressed glossy scales ; limb divided into five ovate, mucro- 

 nate, obliquely rotate, deciduous segments, which are mem- 

 branaceous at the edges. Corolla large, purple, five-petalled. 

 Stamina ten; anthers arcuate, beaked, the alternate five 

 pedicellate, with two processes at the base. Ovary con-, 

 nected by ten partitions with the calyx. Style declinate.' 

 Berry five-celled, many-seeded. 



B 2 Obs. 



