Cattleiane. Tab. 18. 
METROSIDEROS VERA. 
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Nat. Orv. Myrtacee, Juss. Linn. Syst. Tcosandria Monogynia. 
METROSIDEROS, Sm. Cal. 5-fidus, superus. Pet. 5. Stam. longissima, exserta. Stigma simplex. Caps. 3-4- 
locularis. Art. Hort. Kew. ed. alt. 3. 183. 
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MertrosipEros, foliis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis glaberrimis, cymis pedunculatis multifloris. 
Nani, Valentyn Oost. Ind. p. 220. t. 53. fide Rumph. 
Metrosideros vera. Rumph. Herb. Amb. 3. 16. t. 7. 
Descr. Arbor excelsa (Kumph.). Rami teretes ; juniores politi, leté virides ; adulti rugosi, rimosi, brunnei. Folia oppo- 
sita, decussata, petiolata, ovato-lanceolata, acuminata, glaberrima ; novissima ferruginea, juniora majora, tenuia, pallidé viridia ; 
adulta coriacea, venosa, atro-viridia ; nervo medio pallido. Petioli semiteretes. Cymi axillares, oppositi, pedunculati, multi- 
flori, bracteati. ores virides, glaberrimi. Calyx semi-inferus, depressus, campanulatus, 5-dentatus; dentibus distantibus, 
acutis, transversis. Pet. 5, rhombeo-ovata, breviter unguiculata, planiuscula, patentia. Stamina 30, serie simplici, disco magno, 
carnoso, 5-angulari, prominente externé inserta, 5 cuique denti calycine unumque cuique petalo opposita; ea dentis axi op- 
- posita breviora ; et indé alternatim minora ; Jilamenta rigida, stylo paulo breviora, petalis duplo longiora ; anther ovales, apicu- 
late, incumbentes. Ovarium subrotundum, semisuperum, 2-loculare, polyspermum : ovula in placenta magna, globosa, centrali 
per totam superficiem inserta ; Stylus filiformis, incurvus, basi cum ovario articulatus. Stigma parvum, obscuré bilobum. Cap- 
sula, fide Rumphii. 
LT MOTE I: 
This tree, which is known in the gardens by the improper name of Eugenia Amboinensis, seems to be what pro- 
duces the iron wood of the East Indies. In the islands of the Indian Archipelago it is called Nani, and is described 
under that name by Francis Valentyn in his account of the island of Amboyna. Rumphius, whom we believe to be 
the only author that has given a detailed account of the plant, says that it grows to a considerable size, forming a large 
timber tree in the rocky parts of Amboyna and Java ; he adds that the wood from the heart of the tree is so €xces- 
sively hard, that it is impossible to work it except in a green state. The Chinese make their rudders and anchors of it, 
which are esteemed by them superior to the iron ones of the Europeans. The worm is said not to eat into it, as it does 
into other woods with a similarly close grain. Although harder than ebony, it does not take so fine a polish. Among: 
the Japanese it is so scarce and valuable, that it is only allowed to be manufactured in the service of their king. The 
bark, which separates spontaneously from the tree, is used by the natives as a remedy for fluor albus and diarrhoea, 
being mixed with Pinang, and a small quantity of ginger, cloves and nutmeg’. 
Our figure was taken two years since from a fine specimen in the conservatory of William Cattley, Esq. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE. 
1. Expanded flower without the stamens. 2. Section of a flower without the petals. 3. Section of the ovarium. 4. Stamens. 
5, Top of the style and stigma. 
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