58 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [Magnoliacee. 
2. DILLENIACEZ, 
Tuoven the Dilleniacee occur, as long ago stated by Mr. Brown, in the greatest 
abundance in Australia, yet as so many species exist in the East-India sg 
the family must be considered chiefly as a tropical one, and would hardly require 
notice in the present work, were it not one of its objects to compare the Flora of 
the hills with that of the plains of India. It is mteresting to observe species of this 
family creeping from the islands up the Peninsula, and along the foot of the Himalaya 
nearly to 28° of northern latitude, where Dillenia aurea was found on the banks of 
the Gogra by General Hardwicke, and D. speciosa in the valley of Noakote within 
Nepal by Dr.Wallich. The latter thrives also in the open air in 30° of N. lat. in the 
Botanic Garden at Saharunpore. The species of Colbertia extend from the Peninsula and 
Circar mountains, up to those of Pachette and Monghir about lat. 24° and 25°. Species 
of Zetracera and Delima being found in Travancore and Silhet, connect the Flora of 
Southern India with that of the Eastern Archipelago. With regard to the properties of 
the plants of this tribe, it is interesting to observe, that as the leaves of Curatella and 
Trachytella are employed in Guyana and China for polishing wood, and even metal, so 
are those of Delima sarmentosa employed in Ceylon for the same purpose. The leaves 
and bark of this tribe of plants yield astringent decoctions, which are used in medicine. 
The species of Dillenia, in addition to being highly ornamental trees, afford valuable 
timber ; and the fleshy divisions of the calyx of D. speciosa and D. scabrella, which, as 
they enlarge, unite and enclose the carpella, and have, when ripe, a pleasant acid 
flavour, are eaten by the natives, as well as added to their curries. According to Rheede, 
the acid juice, added to syrup, is considered useful as a cough mixture. 
38. MAGNOLIACES. 
The Winteree or Winter’s bark tribe, separated from this family by Mr. Brown, chiefly 
on account of their dotted leaves and aromatic qualities, hardly require notice in this 
work, as none of the species are found in India or its mountains, were it not that the 
natives employ the seeds of Iilicium anisatum most extensively as a stomachic and carmi- 
native; it would be advisable therefore to introduce the tree itself into the country, and 
there is little doubt of success, as it is known to extend from 232° to 35° of N. latitude, 
or from Canton to Japan. The capsules, known by the name of Star-anise in Europe, 
are in India called badian-khutai, or Chinese anise. The two other species of I/licium are 
found only in Florida. The Winter’s bark, Drimys Winteri, though found in the Strait 
of Magalhaens beyond 50° of S. latitude, might also find a suitable locality on the slope 
of the Himalaya. 
The true Magnoliacee, distinguished by the showiness and fragrance of their flowers, 
as well as by the beauty of their foliage, form but a small portion of the Flora 
of the plains of Northern India, Michelia Champaca being alone found; and that only 
in gardens from Calcutta to Saharunpore, in vallies within the Himalaya, even as far 
north 
