Paronychiee. | THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. 221 
Penang, as well as of P. Leschenaultii on the Neelgherries, and of P. Nepalensis, figured 
by Dr. Wallich, in Tent. Fl. Nep.t. 11. in Nepal. One species of this genus extends as 
far south, however, as New Zealand, though the genus Disemma prevails in New Hol- 
land. Tacsonia is confined to South America, though a doubtful species, 7. pubescens 
is mentioned as existing in India Orientali. Modecca, according to our present know- 
ledge, is restricted to the East-Indies, Burma, Java, and the northern coast of New 
Holland. The species enumerated by Dr.Wallich were found at Prome, in Silhet, and 
the Peninsula of India. 
Several of the edible species of Passiflora have been introduced into India by the 
Calcutta Botanic Garden, and a few as far north as Saharunpore. Many others might 
be successfully cultivated in every part of India, and would form useful and ornamental 
additions to the gardens. 
80. PORTULACE®. 
The Portulacee form a small order allied to the Caryophyllee, but, unlike them, are 
found chiefly in the hot parts of the world, with a few species extending into Europe 
and North America, and others to the Cape of Good Hope and New Holland. A few 
species are found every where in the plains of India, belonging to the genera 7rianthema 
and Portulacca, with a species of Tulinum, T. cuneifolium? in Nepal, and 7’. indicum, 
which appears to be the same as Z.strictum, in the Indian and Malayan Peninsulas. 
The latter genus is chiefly found in the New World, with a species in Arabia: the two 
other genera have the distribution of the family in the Old World, and are also found in 
America. The same species, as Trianthema obcordata, crystallina and decandra, and a 
pentandrous variety of the last, if it be not a distinct species, with Portulaca oleracea 
and P. quadrifida, are found in the northern, as in the most southern parts of India, and 
the Malayan Peninsula. In the fort of Toghlukabad, near Delhi, I found a species which 
appears distinct from any, P. geniculata, nob., but it may be only a variety of Dr. Rox- 
_burgh’s P. quadrifida, a species found in Arabia and Egypt, as well as in India. The 
fleshy bland leaves of the common Purslane render it useful as a pot-herb in the coun- 
tries where it is found; in India it is even cultivated for this purpose ; P. meridiana and 
Trianthema obcordata are also so used; as is Claytonia perfoliata in America. 
81. PARONYCHIE. 
The Paronychiee of M. De Candolle, called also Jilecebree, are divided into several 
tribes, some of which are considered Orders; as Scleranthee, Queriacee, and Minuar- 
tiee. They are allied to Portulacea, and like these to Caryophyllee and Amaranthacee. 
They are found chiefly in dry, barren, and sandy places in the south of Europe, and 
north of Africa, and southwards at the Cape of Good Hope and in New Holland ; a few 
are found in Siberia, and in both North and South America. Though a few species 
only are found in India, these exist nearly every where, as Polycarpaa igederes: sais 
Ceylon toSaharunpore and westwards to the shores of the Red Sea. P. spadicea is confined 
to the Peninsula; and Hapalosia Leflingia, Wall., the Leflingia Indica of authors, is 
common 
