73 



RAUWOLFIA SUMATRANA. PV. J. 



Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Apocyne^. 



Foliis ternis quaternisve elliptico-oblongis superne latioribus 

 glabris, floribus terminalibus umbellatis, coroUse fauce villis 

 clausa. 



Tampal badak, or Simbu badak. Malay. — Fi*equent near 

 Bencoolen. — It grows to a small Tree, having somewhat the 

 habit and foliage of the Mangga lant, or Cerbera Manghas. 

 The whole plant is lactescent. Leaves verticillate, generally 

 in three, sometimes in four, shortly petioled, about six inches 

 long, elliptic-oblong, broader above, and terminating in a 

 short point, very entire, very smooth, rather firm, and having 

 nearly transverse nerves. Peduncles 3-4, umbellate, terminal, 

 long, round and smooth, bearing compound umbels of small 

 white flowers. Calyx small, 5-lobed. Corolla white; tube 

 longer than the calyx; limb spreading, 5-parted, lobes sub- 

 rotund ; faux closed with white hairs, which appear to form 

 five tufts. Stamens 5, included; filaments very short; 

 anthers yellow, sagittate, acute, conniving over the stigma. 

 Ovary furrowed on both sides, 2-celled, tetrasporous, sur- 

 rounded by an obscurely 5-lobed nectarial ring. Styles 2, 

 united together. Stigma peltate, capitate, glutinous, papil- 

 lose. Berry globose, smooth, containing two nuts, which 

 are compressed, rugose, gibbous, and tapering towards the 

 top, subunilocular with an imperfect dissepiment, generally 

 1-seeded. Seed compressed. 



Obs. This species appears to have considerable resem- 

 blance to Rauwolfia nitida, but is sufficiently distinguished 

 by its inflorescence. The wood of the tree is very light, 

 and employed by the Sumatrans for the scabbards of their 

 swords and kreesses. 



TACCA CRISTATA. W. J. 



Foliis indivisis lato-lanceolatis, involucro diphyllo, umbella 

 secunda cernua superne intra involucrum foliolis duobus 

 involucro duplo longioribus stipata. 



Native of Singapore and Pulo Penang. — Hoot thick and 



