376 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [ Hydrocharidee. 
the Choor mountain. C. petiolata, nob., is a new species, allied to C. orchioides, 
(perhaps only a variety) from the Kheree Pass. Hyporis, more numerous in species, is 
also more extensively diffused, having the distribution of Curculigo, as well as occurring 
in both North and South America. No species of Hypovxis has yet been found in the 
plains of India, but one species is extremely common in the Himalayas. This is 
H. minor, Don (Curculigoides,Wall.) There may, however, be two species intermixed 
among these; one with many flowered scapes, and the flowers small; while the 
other has larger flowers, but these single, as represented in Tab. 91, fig. 3.* 
Hypoxis minor. Don. Prod. Fl. Nep. p. 53. Syst. Veg. Schultes. vii. p. 772. Tab. 91. fig. 3. 
Hab. Nepal. (Wallich). Mussooree, &c. (Royle). 
173. HYDROCHARIDE. 
This aquatic order, though named from Hydrocharis, a European plant, is widely 
diffused over a great extent of territory and variety of climate; its species may easily 
be distinguished by their inferior ovary from other water-plants ; but, like them, some 
of the same species are found in very widely-separated countries. The order is divided 
by Endlicher into the tribes Anacharidea, Vallisneriee, and Stratiotidee, of all which 
some species are found in India. Of the first, Hydrilla (Serpicula, Roxb., Corom. Pl. 
t. 164) verticillata, is common in still waters all over India, from the Peninsula to 
Saharunpore, where there is also apparently another species, which I have called 
H. subulata. 
Vallisneria is a genus well known in the south of Europe, but which occurs also in 
N. America, India, and New Holland ; and the same species, V. spiralis, so remarkable 
in a physiological point of view, is found in all these countries. V. alternifolia is a 
genuine species of the genus, figured by Dr.Wight (Hook. Misc. Sup. t. xi.), and is 
found 
* The Bromeliacee, or Pine-apple tribe, are so exclusively an American family, that nothing but the 
extensive diffusion of the pine-apple over India would render advisable their mention here. The introduction 
into India of the pine-apple is expressly mentioned by Indian authors, as by Abul Fuzl, in the Ayeen Akberry, 
and then by the author of the Dhara Shekoih. (Taleef Shereef trans]. p. 18). It was introduced into Bengal in 
1594 by the Portuguese during the reign of Akbar, and is called by the natives either ananas or kutl-suffree 
“artocarpus for a journey,” as its fruit ripens even when carried about. Pine-apples succeed as far north 
as 30° in the open air, but are plentiful in the garden of the Taj-muhul at Agra. They are so abundant 
in both Ceylon, and near Rangoon in Burma, as to appear wild in both places, and are considered most deli- 
cious in flavour in the latter situation. They are mentioned by Capt. Turner in his journey to Teshoo-loomboo, 
as extremely abundant in the jungly tracts in the entrance to the hills. It js evident, therefore, how well 
suited the climate and soil of many parts of India are to the cultivation of the pine-apple. This is important 
not only on account of its fruit, from which a very agreeable beverage is in some countries prepared, but also 
on account of the fibre which abounds in the leayes, and which has attracted a good deal of attention in this 
country ; as with it cloth has been manufactured as fine as some ‘muslins. The natives of India appear 
to be well acquainted with the fibre of the pine-apple leaf, as some of very good quality and light-coloured 
has lately been sent from Bombay to the Royal Asiatic Society. Some years since, Mr. Cracroft also sent from 
Dacca to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, specimens of pine-apple fibre, prepared in the Barycote district. 
