72 MONANDRIA MONOGYMA. Alpluia. 



filament is a small acute bonilet, as in most of the plants of 

 ihis genus, and in several of the other genera of our other 

 Indian Scitaminecr. Filament short, erect. Anther double, 

 cmarginate. Germ beneath, oval, smooth. Style slender. 

 Stigma funnel-shaped, Nectariai scales of Konig, subulate, 

 almost half the length of the tube of the corol. Capsule oval, 

 somewhat three-sided, size of a small nutmeg - ; three-celled, 

 three-valved. Seeds many, angular. 



Obs. The following account of this interesting plant has 

 lately been transmitted to me by Captain Dickson, the Com- 

 manding Officer of the district of Wynaad where the Cat do- 

 mum is cultivated, vi/. 



" The Cardomum shrub is found in great abundance among 

 the western mountains of Wynaad, and is called by the Da- 

 tives of Malabar Ailum clie<fi/ (the Ailum shrub)* 1 cannot ob- 

 tain any satisfactory derivation of the true import of the 

 word Ailum, unless, as is alleged, it implies in the Sanskrit 

 language, celebrity, and eminence. 



" The shrub is said to l>e produced as follows. Before the 

 commencement of the periodical rains, in June, the cultiva- 

 tors of the Cardomum ascend the coldest, and most shady sides 

 of a woody mountain; a tree of uncommon size and freight 

 i> then sought after, the adjacent spot is 'cleared of weeds, 

 and the tree felled close at its root. The earth shaken, and 

 loosened by the force of the fallen tree, shoots forth young 

 Cardomum plants in about a month's time. I have repeatedly 

 enquired of the natives the means by which the Cardomum 

 plants are first produced, and have invariably been told as 

 already stated. They attribute no other effects to the falling 

 tree, which may be selected from any species, than such as 

 are derived from its weight and strength, added to the shade 

 and shelter which its branches afford to the young plants. 

 I have heard it by some asserted that the Cardomum, like the 

 famed Phoenix, would emerge from the ashes of any large 

 forest ti. e, but these stories were uttered only by the ignorant, 

 and are too absurd to refpiire comment. 



